Processes Concerning Research Protocols During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Purpose: With the activation of SOP 5.503 (REB Review During Publicly Declared Emergencies), the REB may, during a publicly declared emergency “follow a modified review and operations plan”. The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to inform the processes concerning research protocols during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
IWK Research Services Standard Operating Procedures Research Ethics
RESEARCH ETHICS BOARD (REB)
Updates & Notices
IWK Responsible Conduct of Research Policy
The Responsible Conduct of Research policy establishes expectations for the responsible conduct of research at the IWK and outlines processes for handling allegations of research misconduct.
CITI Online Courses Now Available for IWK Researchers and Staff
In conjunction with our Network of Network (N2) membership, we are now able to offer the Collaborative Institutional Train Initiative (CITI) online training courses customized for Canadian researchers.
Registration is free at www.citiprogram.org
Courses are comprised of modules that may be completed over time. Completion of required modules with an average of 80% will provide a certificate of completion meeting regulatory requirements for training, for example, ICH-GCP or Health Canada Division 5.
The ROMEO Research Portal
The IWK REB has moved to the online ROMEO Research Portal for the management of ethics applications and grant/award applications. The Research Portal provides researchers and study team members including co-investigators, research coordinators, and other study staff, the ability to see and manage the submission and approval process for their research studies. Through a single login, you may review all existing projects underway at the IWK and NSHA.
If you require an Investigator Profile to gain access to ROMEO, please take a few moments to fill out the form below. Note that we process the forms Monday to Friday (8am-4pm), please plan ahead.
New User - Registration Request
The IWK has several user guides to help with the management of your study:
ROMEO Training:
If you would like to schedule a training session on using the Research Portal, please email Joanne Street at joanne.street@iwk.nshealth.ca
Questions:
If you have any questions regarding ROMEO and the Research Portal, please contact Joanne Street, Ethics Coordinator, Research Services at 902.470.7879
Message to the IWK Research Community
Investigators may be invited to the Research Ethics Board (REB) Meetings:
To facilitate the review of Full Board REB Submissions, Principal Investigators (or their designate) may be invited to attend the REB meeting. Investigators will be notified of the time and location of the REB Meeting 10 days prior to the meeting date if their attendance is requested.
Investigators will be invited to make a short (10 minute) informal presentation of the research study and REB Members may follow-up with a few clarifying questions. Additionally, investigators may volunteer to come to the REB to briefly present their REB submission. This can be particularly helpful with unique or complex projects. Simply contact the research ethics office 10 days prior to the meeting to be added to the agenda.
The REB review and Summary of REB Issues will follow in the usual manner. Investigators will not be in attendance during the review of their submission.
The IWK Research Ethics Board:
Research, along with education and clinical care are the three essential activities of the Health Centre. The Research Ethics Board (REB) serves to assist members of the research community to conduct ethically acceptable research involving humans.
All research that involves human subjects, their information or their tissue, requires review and approval by the REB before it may begin. Research proposals are assessed for ethical acceptability using regional, national and international guidelines. The IWK Health Centre Research Ethics guidelines and operating procedures provide direction in regard to research involving IWK families and personnel. Since research ethics is a continually evolving subject, these guidelines may be modified from time to time. It is the responsibility of reader to ensure that they are using the most recent version.
The REB Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) also provides important information on the Board's operations and requirements of investigators and research staff. The SOP’s should be read in conjunction with these guidelines.
Guidelines, SOP’s and related notices are regularly updated.
Resources
Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS2)
CITI Online Courses: Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP), Health Canada Division 5, etc.
Centre of Genomics and Policy (CGP), Maternal Infant Child and Youth Research Network (MICYRN)
Committee Membership
IWK Research Ethics Board (September 2020)
Research Site Map
Contact Us
IWK Health Centre Research Services
5850/5980 University Ave
PO Box 9700
Nova Scotia, B3K 6R8
If you have a general question about research, our services, facilities or programs please email us below.
If you are looking for a specific individual from one of our departments or facilities please select the button below to view the research services team (individual contact information is provided here).
Research Newsletter
If you would like to be added to our mailing list and receive our monthly Newsletter let us know. Our Newsletter is updated with upcoming educational opportunities and accomplishments. Be part of our research community.
