Ethics in research
Department of History Ethics Protocol
Note: This protocol is meant to supplement rather than replace the established University procedures regarding ethics. In any case where this protocol is inconsistent with University policy, the University policy shall prevail.
Certain types of research involving living human beings require prior ethics approval by a research ethics committee. For historians, this means especially oral history interviews and surveys, but can also mean (in certain cases) ethnographic observation, research involving private online social networking or other sites, and even work with the private papers of living people.
Ethics review involves ensuring that the research will be undertaken in accordance with the rights of the participants and the obligations of the researcher. It is not a review of the scholarly merit of the research project, but rather of the protection of the participants in the project.
All research by members of the Concordia community, wherever it takes place, is subject to the policies contained in the TCPS. The History Department Ethics Committee and the Office of Research can help answer questions about when ethics review is required and how to compile a complete application.
Review by the History Department Ethics Committee, currently headed by Dr. Eric Reiter generally requires about one week, though review might take longer during peak times. The university Human Research Ethics Committee meets once a month throughout the year, generally during the second week of each month. Applications may be submitted at any time, but must be submitted by the beginning of the month to make the agenda for that month’s meeting.
To whom do I submit my application?
Application must be made through the Office of Research. Projects not beyond minimal risk will be reviewed by an accelerated process. Projects exceeding minimal risk will undergo full review by the university Human Research Ethics Committee.
Application through the History Department Ethics Committee, including a completed and signed “Summary Protocol Form”, a consent form, a project description, and any other material that will help the committee evaluate the application (e.g. interview guides, approvals from organizations being researched, etc.).
Applications should be submitted in electronic rather than paper copy where possible.
Application must be made through the Office of Research. Projects not beyond minimal risk will be reviewed by an accelerated process. Projects exceeding minimal risk will undergo full review by the university Human Research Ethics Committee.
Application through the History Department Ethics Committee, including a completed and signed “Abbreviated Summary Protocol Form”, a consent form, and a brief project description.
Applications should be submitted in electronic rather than paper copy where possible.
Application must be made through the Office of Research. Projects not beyond minimal risk will be reviewed by an accelerated process. Projects exceeding minimal risk will undergo full review by the university Human Research Ethics Committee.
Pre-approval for course assignments that do not exceed minimal risk can be done in advance by submitting the following to the History Department Ethics Committee: a Summary Protocol Form, a model consent form (which students will then adapt to their specific projects), and the course outline including a description of the assignment.
Applications should be submitted in electronic rather than paper copy where possible.
Some guidelines
“For the purposes of this Policy, ‘minimal risk’ research is defined as research in which the probability and magnitude of possible harms implied by participation in the research is no greater than those encountered by participants in those aspects of their everyday life that relate to the research.” (TCPS, p. 23)
Research that “is likely to affect the welfare of an Aboriginal community, or communities, to which prospective participants belong” must proceed with the engagement of the relevant community. This includes research taking place on community lands, research that recruits participants based on Aboriginal identity, research into a community’s “cultural heritage, artefacts, traditional knowledge or unique characteristics,” among others. (TCPS, article 9.1)
Such research requires consultation with the community and its leaders to determine the “nature and extent of community engagement” in the project. (TCPS, article 9.2)
Further, “Researchers have an obligation to become informed about, and to respect, the relevant customs and codes of research practice that apply in the particular community or communities affected by their research.” (TCPS, article 9.8)
Such research puts other obligations on the researcher as well. Full details can be found in TCPS Chapter 9, “Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada”.
Confidentiality means that the participant’s identity is known to the researcher, but will not be disclosed. In most cases in history research, this is what participants will be offered (if they do not consent to have their identity divulged). In a face-to-face oral history interview, the researcher will obviously know the identity of the participant.
Anonymity means the researcher does not know the identity of the participant. This applies mainly to anonymous surveys, where data arrive without any identifying information.
In addition to Concordia ethics approval, in some cases research conducted outside Quebec or outside Canada requires approval by a research ethics board in the place where the research will take place. Researchers should also be aware that their activities are subject to the legal requirements of the place they are going to, which may differ significantly from those in Quebec. Questions about these issues should be addressed to the History Department Ethics Committee or to the Office of Research.
Much historical research involves questions that evolve during the research itself, which presents particular issues for the application process, and often requires ongoing consultation with the appropriate ethics committee. See TCPS, article 10.5 for more information.
Ethics and Oral History
For guidance on what is needed in an ethics package and some models specific to oral history interviewing, please read the guidlines provided by the Centre for Oral History and Digital Storytelling:
- For Ethics (including models)
- For Training Webinars (interviewing, transcription)
Submitted applications involving oral history interviews must include a project proposal, interview guide, and consent form. Sample forms and guides can be located at the bottom of the Research Ethics page of the COHDs website: please click here.
