MCMASTER UNIVERSITY

Complete Policy Title:

POLICY STATEMENT FOR RESEARCH
INVOLVING HUMAN PARTICIPANTS
Policy Number (if applicable): n/a
Approved by: The President
Date of Most Recent Approval: September, 2002
Revision Date(s):  
Position Responsible for Developing
and Maintaining the Policy:		 Vice-President of Research
and International Affairs
Contact Department:
 Office of Research Services
DISCLAIMER: If there is a discrepancy between this electronic policy and the written copy held by the Policy owner, the written copy prevails.

 

Policy Statement for Research Involving Human Participants

Research involving human participants is premised on a fundamental moral commitment to advancing human welfare, knowledge and understanding and to examining cultural dynamics. As a research intensive institution, McMaster University shares this commitment in its promotion of responsible research.

The fundamental imperative of research involving human participation is respect for human dignity and well-being. To this end, the University endorses the ethical principles cited in the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (1998), and any subsequent revisions thereto), and has mandated its Research Ethics Boards (REBs) to ensure that all research investigations involving human participants are in compliance with the Statement. The REBs shall establish appropriate administrative policies and procedures to implement this policy.

This policy applies to funded and non-funded research investigations involving human participants (including procedures such as interviews, questionnaires and observations on individuals or groups) carried out on or off campus by McMaster University faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students and to anyone conducting research at or under the auspices of the University.

The University is committed, through its Research Ethics Boards, to assisting the research community in identifying and addressing ethical issues inherent in its research, recognizing that all members of the University share a commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards in research involving humans.