Research
Involving
Niagara
College
A Guide for Investigators
Interested in conducting research at Niagara College? Use this guide to apply for
Administrative Consent to conduct research at the College.
Form of Intention for Proposed Research
Protocols for Investigators Seeking Administrative Consent to Conduct Research at Niagara
College
Welcome
Thank you for considering Niagara College as a potential site for conducting your research. Niagara College supports
research and values its benefits. At Niagara College, all investigators shall apply for administrative consent from the College.
In order to facilitate this process and to avoid any delays for interested researchers, Niagara College has developed the
“Form of Intention for Proposed Research” to be filed by investigators. By completing and filing the form, investigators are
seeking administrative/institutional consent to conduct research at the College.
Investigators
An investigator is any person, including a current student, faculty, or staff member of Niagara College who is proposing to
conduct research that involves the participation of Niagara College and of its staff and/or students (e.g. investigators may be
masters or doctoral thesis candidates, researchers conducting research projects funded by other institutions, etc.).
Protocols for Research Projects
As a strong supporter of research, Niagara College is committed to ensuring that the research that is being proposed at the
College (involving human participants, data, information, etc.) is feasible with regard to the use of its physical space and/or
equipment, timing, as well as time required by the college’s staff, faculty, students, etc. Therefore, the College has developed
special protocols to consider all research project proposals; these guidelines will also benefit investigators by preventing and
avoiding any delays prior and during the application process for ethical review. Administrative consent must be attained
through the “Form of Intention for Proposed Research” prior to submitting an application for ethical review.
Form of Intention for Proposed Research
All investigators shall register their intention to conduct research at Niagara College and apply for administrative/institutional
consent by submitting the “Form of Intention for Proposed Research”. The proposed research will be reviewed for institutional
fit and feasibility through a multi-stages process. If administrative consent is granted, the investigator may then complete
the College’s application for ethical review.
It is important to understand that an application from investigators that has been submitted for ethical review will not be
considered for review, if the “Form of Intention for Proposed Research” has not been filed and administrative consent granted.
In addition, the approval of the form of intent does not guarantee clearance or approval by the Niagara College’s Research
Ethics Board (REB).
How to Apply?
1.
2.
3.
Register your intention and request administrative consent by completing the “Form of Intention for Proposed Research”
(below)
Where applicable, submit all the required documents (e.g., copies of approval letters from the sponsoring agency and/or
from the corresponding institution’s Research Ethics Board).
E-mail the form to Katerina Gonzalez at kgonzalez@niagaracollege.ca.
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4.
5.
Once the College has reviewed the form, the investigator will be notified by e-mail whether it will be feasible to conduct
the proposed research at the College.
If the investigator receives administrative consent, the investigator may then proceed with the College’s application for
ethical review.
Helpful Information for Completing the Form
For all sections;
1. Complete all sections and do not leave any sections blank.
2. Input “NA,” if not applicable.
3. Where applicable, attach all supporting documentation.
4. Answer all questions in plain language and in a clear and concise manner.
The Role of Niagara College: What will the role of Niagara College be in relation to your research needs (e.g., use of
physical space, equipment, or partnerships with staff, departments, etc.). What collaboration will you expect from Niagara
College and with whom (e.g., faculty, departments, students, etc.). Please provide details.
Research Dates: The proposed date refers to the beginning of the recruitment and to the completion of collecting and
analyzing data. This includes the completion of reporting results.
Research Summary: Introductory summary of the proposed study shall be brief and shall provide sufficient information for
the reader to understand the rationale, purpose, and methods of the research project.
Study Background: The background may include references to literature to support the need to conduct the proposed
research.
Purpose: The purpose of the study shall include the main reason(s) why the study is being conducted. It may include the
hypothesis/aim/research questions.
Objective: The objective(s) of the research project shall include a statement/s of what new knowledge is hoped to be
gained.
Methodology: The methodology shall include all procedures to be used for involving participants, methods for collecting
and analyzing data, as well as the type of data to be collected.
Research Instruments: Research instruments shall be a copy of all final documents such as questionnaires, surveys,
interview/telephone scripts, recruitment posters, flyers, e-mail communication, etc.
Research Participants: The research participants shall include a description of the quantity, who the participants will be,
including exclusions/inclusions of certain groups (e.g., women, children, older adults, etc.) This information will help identify
potential vulnerability of the participants.
Level of Risks: Describe the level of risks, including minimal risks. When evaluating the risks to participants, this is an
evaluation of the risks of harm. Minimal risks are risks in which the probability of possible harms implied by participation in
the research is no greater than those encountered by participants in the aspect of their everyday life that relates to the
research.
Consent Process: How will the informed consent process be conducted? Please explain the consent process and attach
consent forms provided to participants.
Safeguarding Information: How will confidentiality and privacy of the participants be safeguarded? Consider explaining
any labels, linkage of data, accessibility of data, storage of data (e.g., include location and for how long).
Conflicts of Interests: Are there any perceived, potential, or actual conflicts of interests? Conflicts of interests may vary
from various forms (e.g., institutional, researcher/participant, etc.). Please identify any potential, perceived, or actual
conflicts of interests. Provide an explanation of the actions that will be taken to deal with any conflicts.
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Form of Intention for Proposed Research
Proposed Research
Please answer all questions and complete as indicated for each section.
Investigator Information
Investigator Name:
Click here to enter text.
Title/
Position:
Institution/Agency:
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Phone/Extension:
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E-mail:
Click here to enter text.
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Provide a brief introduction about yourself and your research experience.
Click here to enter text.
Research Project Title:
Project General Information
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Where will the research be
conducted? Provide a brief
description of the location of
the research.
The proposed dates for the
research?
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From:
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To:
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What will the role of Niagara
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College be in relation to your
research needs (e.g., use of
physical space, equipment, or
partnerships with staff,
departments, etc.). Please
provide details.
Has any other Ethics Board approved this project?
Yes
No
If yes, please provide the following:
Name of the Institution:
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Name of the Research Ethics Board:
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Date of the Decision: Click here to enter text.
* A copy of the clearance certificate/approval from other REB(s) must be provided.
Provide an introductory summary of the proposed research project.
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Research Project Details
1. Provide a brief summary of the research study background. (maximum 100 words)
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2. What is the purpose of the research project? (maximum 100 words)
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3. What is/are the research objective(s)? (maximum 100 words)
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4. Please explain the methodology?
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5. What research instruments will be used (e.g. surveys, questionnaires, recruitment posters, etc.)? Attach copies of all
final research instruments.
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6. Explain who will the research participants be and how they will be recruited?
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7. Please describe the level of risks, including all minimal risks.
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8. How will the informed consent process be conducted? Attach copies of all final forms to participants.
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9. How will confidentiality and privacy of the participants be safeguarded?
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10.Explain any perceived, potential, or actual conflicts of interests?
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