Ethical
Considerations
Core Principles
1.
Respect for Persons
2.
Concern for Welfare
3.
Justice
Respect for Persons
1.
All prospective participants will be well informed about the study
2.
They will be requested to sign an informed consent
3.
If in case, they wish to withdraw from the study due to any reason, they will be allowed to do so
4.
Due to their old age and co-morbidities, if they lose cognition, there will be their trusted third
party who can decide on their behalf
Concern for Welfare
1.
Welfare of the participants will be safeguarded under all circumstances
2.
All information will be provided so evaluation can be made between risks and potential
benefits
3.
Measures will be in place not to put any participants under undue risk while answering any of
the research questions
4.
They will be informed about the benefits of the study
5.
At all times, welfare of the group will be given priority over the welfare of the population.
Justice
1.
All participants will be treated fairly and equitably
2.
Special attention will be given to the vulnerable group
3.
Inclusion criteria will be matched with the research question so all participants have a fair
chance of being included in the study
Research Ethics Board
1.
Since we are gathering data on living human beings, we will get approval from Review Ethical
Board
2.
Privacy and confidentiality of the data collected will be protected
3.
We will submit to the REB how the anonymity of the data will be maintained by involving a
trusted third party (nursing home administration) to de-identify participants with the help of
key codes prior to scheduling the interviews.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Demographic data will be collected
Date of birth will not be asked but only age will be confirmed that is more than 60 years.
We will use de-identifiable data by using key codes:
i.
The long-term care/nursing home administration will be requested to assign the codes to the
participants before scheduling their interviews
Safeguarding the data
We will provide REB with the following information to safeguard the data:
1.
the type of information to be collected;
2.
the purpose for which the information will be used,
3.
limits on the use, disclosure and retention of the information;
4.
risks to participants should the security of the data be breached, including risks of reidentification of individuals;
Safeguarding the data
5.
security safeguards for the full life cycle of information;
6.
any anticipated uses of personal information from the research; and
7.
any anticipated linkage of data gathered in the research with other data about participants,
whether those data are contained in public or personal records
Storage of the data
1.
We will store the data in a locked cabinet which is fireproof and is a locked room
2.
Only authorized personnel can access the room
3.
Authorization will be granted by the principal investigator
Risks and Benefits
1.
Interview questions may trigger emotional responses (like family issues, the loss of a close one)
2.
If they get emotional or suffer from any physical/mental health condition during the interview, the
researcher will inform the health care provider immediately ( they will also fill in a health declaration
form before the interview to inform the researchers about any health condition we should be aware
of)
3.
They have the right not to answer any question that they are uncomfortable with
4.
If they wish to withdraw, they can do it anytime during the study
5.
Provide contacts of mental health service
6.
Inform the health care providers when the participants are upset