McMaster University Research Ethics Board (MREB)
FACULTY/GRADUATE/STAFF
Application to Involve Human Participants in Research
[Behavioural / Non- Medical]
Please refer to the McMaster University < Research Ethics Guidelines and Researcher’s Handbook >,
found at prior to completion and submission of this application. If you have questions about or
require assistance respecting completion of this form, please contact the Ethics Secretariat at ext.
23142, or ethicsoffice@mcmaster.ca
Send in this form and all accompanying material in quadruplicate if being submitted in hard-copy. If
submitting by e-mail, send the application plus attachments, and forward the original signed signature page to
the Ethics Secretariat, Office of Research Services, Room 305/H Gilmour Hall, ext. 23142,
ethicsoffice@mcmaster.ca. If you want to change a previously approved protocol, please complete the
“< Change Request >” form.
Date: 27 Jan 2009
Application Status: New [*] Change [ ] Renewal [ ]
Protocol#:
<Helpful Hints> Check all Bold Blue hypertext links for help on completing this form
SECTION A – GENERAL INFORMATION
1.
Title of the Research Project: Transnationalism and Palestinian Feminisms: From the First Intifada
(Uprising) to the National Boycott Campaign
2.
Investigator Information (This form not to be completed by < Faculty of Health Science researchers >)
Name
Dept./Address
Phone No.
E-Mail address you regularly
use
Student
Investigator(s)
Wafa Hasan
English and Cultural
Studies CNH 321;
McMaster University
2435-33 Harbour
Square; Toronto, ON;
M5J 2G2
Student Faculty
Supervisor
3.
Daniel
Coleman
English and Cultural
Studies CNH 321;
McMaster University
(416) 601
6845
wafa_hasan2@hotmail.com
(647) 519
9232
Ext 23717
dcoleman@mcmaster.ca
When will you begin recruiting participants or reviewing private papers?: URGENT Feb 20th
(Contact ethics office for urgent requests)
Estimated Completion Date: March 15, 2009
4.
hasanw@mcmaster.ca
Indicate the < location >(s) where the research will be conducted:
McMaster University
Hospital
[ ]
[ ] Specify Site
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Community
Other
5.
[ ] Specify Site
[ * ] Specify Site
Major Cities in the West Bank, Palestine
(such as Ramallah, Tul Karem, Nablus,
Bethlehem; Jenin; Hebron; East Jerusalem
and surrounding villages such as Irtah and
Aseera) (Travel to all destinations subject to
Israeli checkpoint openings)
Other Research Ethics Board Approval
(a) Is this a multi-centred study?
[ ] Yes [ * ] No
(b) Has any other institutional Ethics Board approved this project?
[ ] Yes [ * ] No
(c) If Yes, there is no need to provide further details about the protocol at this time, provided that all
of the following information is provided:
Title of the project approved elsewhere:
Name of the Other Institution:
Name of the Other Board:
Date of the Decision:
A contact name and phone number for the other Board:
A copy of the application to the other institution together with all accompanying materials
A copy of the clearance certificate / approval
If all of the above information cannot be provided, please complete the balance of
this application.
(d) Will any other Research Ethics Board be asked for approval? [ * ] Yes [ ] No
If yes, please specify
Possible local reviewers for Palestine:
1) Nahla Abdo (Carlton University)
Possible Reviewers in the United States:
2) Ellen Fleischmann (University of Dayton)
3) Charlotte Weber (Ohio State University)
4) Janet M.Powers (Gettysburg College)
Possible Reviewers in the West Bank
1) Nader Shalhoub-Kevorkian (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
6.
Level of the Project
[ ] Faculty Research
[ ] Staff/Administration
[ ] Other (specify)
7.
[ ] Post-Doctoral
[ ] Masters
[ *] PhD.
[ ] Undergraduate
Funding of the Project
(a) Is this project currently being funded
[ *] Yes [ ] No
(b) If No, is funding being sought
[ ] Yes [ ] No
(c) Period of Funding: From September 2008 To: August 2009
(d) Agency or Sponsor (funded or applied for)
[ ] CIHR
[ ] NSERC
[ ] Health Canada
[ * ] Other (specify): School of Graduate Studies Archival Research
Fund and the Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition
Graduate Research Support Fund
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[ ] SSHRC
[ ] ARB
8.
Conflict of Interest
(a)
Will the researcher(s), members of the research team, and/or their partners or
immediate family members:
(i) receive any personal benefits (for example a financial benefit such as remuneration,
intellectual property rights, rights of employment, consultancies, board membership, share
ownership, stock options etc.) as a result of or being connected to this study?[ ] Yes [ * ] No
(ii) if Yes, please describe the benefits below. (Do not include conference and
travel expense coverage, possible academic promotion, or other benefits which
are integral to the conduct of research generally).
Not applicable
(b)
Describe any restrictions regarding access to or disclosure of information (during
or at the end of the study) that the sponsor has placed on the investigator(s).
Not applicable
SECTION B – SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED RESEARCH – Please be as Clear and Concise as
Possible
9.
Rationale
Describe the purpose and background rationale for the proposed project, as well as the
hypotheses(is)/research questions to be examined.
My dissertation explores how Palestinian women describe, author and negotiate the 21 st century Palestinianinitiated boycott against all of Israeli civil society and academia. The contemporary “Palestinian Campaign for
the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel” (PACBI) the first of its kind in the last fifty years) means that
Palestinian feminists have taken a zero-contact approach to Israeli civil society and academia. Consequently,
most of the previous alliances created between Israeli and Palestinian women (in the first intifada or uprising,
for example) have broken down or been re-negotiated.
The PACBI campaign which began in 2002 has recently put out a “Women’s Brochure” written by Palestinian
women leaders in the region. The brochure urges Palestinian women to learn from the “mistakes” of
transnational alliances with Israeli women in the first intifada. My dissertation seeks to explore what those
“mistakes” are. I ask questions about the stories behind these transnational alliances between Israeli and
Palestinian women; about trajectories of feminist organizing in the West Bank and how these feminisms
reconcile the boycott of Israeli feminist groups; the relationship between feminism and nationalism in the West
Bank; what ‘global feminism’ means to Palestinian women; and how Palestinian society grapples with
women’s oppression.
The plethora of readings published by Palestinian feminist organizations and Palestinian feminist public
leaders, suggest that Palestinian women almost always theorize and explain Palestinian women’s issues in
relation to national liberation and vice versa. To this end, my dissertation research explores this linkage
deeply by asking about the nature of the relationship between nationalism and feminism in the West Bank and
by outlining common Palestinian feminist strategies for the achievement of “liberation.”
In my experience in the West Bank in 2007, Palestinian women welcome and are truly grateful for
researchers’ questions and concerns about their socio-political realities. In some cases, it is quite cathartic.
When I was there in 2007 it was difficult to keep up with all the people that wanted to talk to me about the
occupation and women’s rights in the West Bank.
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10.
Methodology
Describe sequentially, and in detail, all procedures in which the research participants will be involved
(e.g. paper and pencil tasks, interviews, surveys, questionnaires, physical assessments, physiological
tests, time requirements etc.)
N.B. Attach a copy of all questionnaire(s), interview guides or other test instruments.
This PhD level research will employ 3 methods of research (besides the conventional review of scholarly and
grey literature, such as government and NGO publications etc.). My trip to Palestine in the summer of 2007
helped me to gauge the most appropriate techniques as follows.
Cultural and Social Setting:
In my 2007 trip to the West Bank, women who I didn’t know, but met randomly on streets would take me on in
formal tours of the apartheid wall/security fence, to their dug out farms and to new garbage dumps installed
by the Israeli government on Palestinian farmland etc. So while these women are not public figures or
members of formal women’s organizations, they informally act as leaders in small villages and are welcoming
of questions and foreigners.
The West Bank is quite small (about 5860 sq km) and it is peppered throughout with many NGOs, foreign aid
organizations, researchers and journalists. Ramallah, in particular is home to many international diplomats
and international visitors. For example, it is common to find Chinese and German people at the local café. In
the outskirt villages, where there are more conservative communities, there is still an openness and
excitement to talk to international researchers. That in mind, more conservative villages such as Tul Karem
have slightly different customs than the big cities pertaining to things like dress code. I am fully aware of
these customs and will adapt my dress and demeanour accordingly. All in all, the West Bank is a lively place
in which men and women are always talking about the occupation and political issues over dinner and in
public. While discussions of feminism are less popular, Palestinian women often initiated conversations wuth
me and other Palestinian women about Islamic fundamentalism, hijabs and honour crimes.
Finally, my fluency in Arabic and my cultural background helped me during a reconnoiter in the West Bank in
2007. These skills are also helping me to choose and organize the following methodologies:
1) One on One Interviews: With Public and/or Political Palestinian Women Leaders
2 hour interviews conducted in a mutually agreeable and safe place to both myself and interviewee.
Most likely interviews will be conducted in interviewee’s public office. Interviews will be conducted in
English as these women publish and lecture internationally in English. These interviews will be audio
recorded and I will also take handwritten notes. Should the interviewee request that an audio
recorder not be used, I will use only handwritten notes.
See Appendix H for Interview Guide/ Questions.
2) Focus Groups with Local/Farmer/Domestic Women:
2 hour focus groups (with up to 5 participants per focus group) will be conducted in public municipal
offices. Interviews will be conducted in both English and Arabic according to interviewees’
preference. A translator will not be needed as I am fluent in both Arabic and English and I am
Palestinian-Canadian. These interviews will be audio recorded and I will also take handwritten notes.
Should the interviewee request that an audio recorder not be used, I will offer them the option of a
one-on-one interview to be scheduled for a different time using only handwritten notes to record their
answers.
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Should any member of a focus group indicate a desire for a one-on-one interview, we will set up a
mutually agreeable time and meet somewhere safe and mutually acceptable. Locations can include
interviewee’s living room or farm.
See Appendix I for Interview Questions/ Guide.
3) Naturalistic Observation
I will be conducting naturalistic observations and listening at an annual rally in Ramallah for
International Women’s Day on March 8th 2009. At this rally participants will be seeking public
exposure and political recognition. Whilst this naturalistic data collection activity is exempt from REB
review, I’m including it here to inform the REB of all of my methodologies.
11.
Experience
What is your experience with this kind of research?
Research Ethics Experience:
Undergraduate Student Representative on the Humanities Student Research Ethics
Committee, 2003-2004. Reviewed research proposals submitted by professors and students
based on criteria dealing with ethical research methodologies.
Participated in “Training in Research Ethics—Social and Behavioural Sciences and
Humanities” Conference/Workshop led by the National Council on Ethics in
Human Research. (Hamilton Convention Centre: Nov.7 2003).
Field Experience:
I am a Palestinian-Canadian female who is fluent in Arabic and English. I travelled to
Palestine in 2007 to prepare for this field research. During this time I was able to gauge the types
of security issues I would have transporting information, mailing things to myself from
the West Bank, how much people want to speak with outside visitors and availability of local
university computer labs. I was also able to use my Arabic and cultural background with success.
Other Research Experience:
I have experience coding data using thematic analysis techniques as a research assistant
in 2005 in affiliation with the University of Toronto.
12.
Participants
Describe the number of participants and any salient characteristics (such as age, gender, location,
affiliation, etc.)
Generally I am looking for a variety of perspectives from Palestinian females. More specifically, however, I’ll
be interviewing:
Public Figures (Approximately 2-10 figures will be interviewed) (All fluent in English)

A political figure; creator of the Women’s Studies Institute at Bir Zeit University in the West Bank; the
director of MIFTAH (The Palestinian initiative for Global Democracy and Dialogue); and prominent
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



spokesperson for Palestinians.
An academic professor at Bir Zeit University; popular author of many feminist articles on Palestinian
women’s movements; and one of the founders of the PACBI boycott campaign.
Female journalist at Ma’an News Agency; public feminist figure and international lecturer; featured
personality in a documentary called Live from Bethlehem.
Willing women leaders from different women’s organizations in the West Bank such as:
a) The General Union of Palestinian women (branches in Ramallah, Jenin and Tul Karem); public
women leaders who work with the Fatah party in the West Bank on policies and law setting.
b) The Arab Women’s Union
c) The Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling
Local Academic Women’s Studies Professors (in Bir Zeit, Nablus, Jenin and Jerusalem).
Local/Farmer/Domestic Women: (Approximately 15-20 women will be interviewed) (Will use English and
Arabic)

13.
Local women in the cities of Tul Karem, Jenin, Ramallah, East Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem,
Nablus and in the neighboring villages of Bir Zeit, Aseera and Irtah.
Recruitment
Describe how and from what sources the participants will be recruited, including any relationship
between the investigator(s) and participant(s) (e.g. instructor-student; manager-employee).
N.B. Attach a copy of any poster(s), advertisement(s) or letter(s) to be used for recruitment.
I established contact in summer 2007 during a preliminary reconnoiter in Palestine. The following techniques
for recruitment work the best in Palestine:
Public Figures (see 1-5 in Participants section):
I will email public figures a Letter of Information to determine their interest. I will also follow up by telephone.
Their email addresses and office phone numbers are publicly available on the internet and the public is
encouraged to contact them because speaking to international organizations and researchers about the
Palestine question and Palestinian feminisms is part of their portfolios. See Appendices A and B.
Local/Farmer/Domestic Women:
There are active local women leaders in the West Bank in every city/village who often take international
visitors around their village to show them the political situation. Moreover, every Friday, there are roundtable
focus groups organized by the women of most of the cities/villages in a public office that is organized primarily
for international tourists and information seekers about the political situation. As such, the best and most
natural recruitment method in the West Bank is to use the snowball sampling technique.
I have a few phone numbers of women I met while I was in the West Bank in 2007. I will use word of mouth
techniques through the seven cities and surrounding villages. I will introduce the project (see Appendix C)
and give out my local cell phone number over the telephone and in person. I will ask people to tell other
people. Once participants contact me, I will set a date, time and location that is public and safe and inform all
participants.
If they do not feel comfortable with me calling them back, I ask them to call me back for details on location
and time.
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14.
Compensation
Yes
No
(a) Will participants receive compensation for participation?
Financial
In-Kind
Other (specify)
(b) If yes, please provide details.
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
[ *]
[ *]
[ *]
There will be no compensation but I will employ local customs of hospitality during interviews and focus
groups and provide refreshments when and where appropriate.
(c) If participants choose to withdraw, how will you deal with compensation?
Not applicable.
SECTION C – < DESCRIPTION OF THE RISKS AND BENEFITS OF THE PROPOSED RESEARCH >
15.
Possible Risks
1. Indicate if the participants might experience any of the following risks:
a) Physical risk (including any bodily contact or administration of any
substance)?
[ ] Yes [ * ] No
b) Psychological risks (including feeling demeaned, embarrassed
worried or upset)?
[ * ] Yes [ ] No
c) Social risks (including possible loss of status, privacy and / or
reputation)?
[ * ] Yes [ ] No
d) Is there any deception involved?
[ ] Yes [ * ] No
e) Are any possible risks to participants greater than those the
participants might encounter in their everyday life?
[ ] Yes [ * ] No
2. If you answered Yes to any of a – e above, please explain the risk.
Psychological Risks (for both public figures and local women):
There is a chance that in discussing the national liberation struggle and the occupation interviewees may
become upset.
If Palestinians who are anti-feminist learn of my work, there is a risk that I will be demeaned or yelled at by
such a group (usually right wing men).
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Social Risks (for public figures and local women):
Interviewees may worry that other Palestinians in a focus group will judge them because of their answers.
Interviewees may be worried about the privacy of information from the interview.
Interviewees may worry that any information about internal problems in Palestinian society will be exploited to
demonize their society.
3. Describe how the risks will be managed (including an explanation as to why alternative approaches
could not be used).
Psychological Risks:
Should anything upset participants, I will encourage them to speak with family and friends as this is the most
conventional way of coping with sadness in the region. If that is not an appropriate option for the participant, I
will further recommend some external help. Examples of external help in the region include foreign institutions
(based in Sweden for example, or funded by the World Health Organization) for Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder and other mental health issues. They are usually based in city centers such as Nablus, Ramallah
and East Jerusalem. I will offer phone numbers of health clinics in the likely event that participants are unable
to pass Israeli checkpoints to get to the clinics.
To prevent the chance that participants will feel upset at the end of the interview, I will repeat the withdrawal
options outlined in the LOI and the consent form.
To prevent the movement of my research questions and objectives from getting into the wrong hands and
being demeaned or yelled at, I will ensure that my data remains on my person in the little time that I have it
(before it gets emailed to myself). Moreover, I will not leave any documents with the participants that includes
the research topic, questions or title.
These psychological risks do not exceed the daily risks associated with the lives of Palestinian women in the
West Bank.
Social Risks:
I will manage the risk of being judged by peers in the group by reminding the group of the confidentiality of the
focus group. However, I will also inform participants that I cannot guarantee that the information will not leave
the room, so that they should be aware of this when answering questions. See Appendix E.
I will manage the risk of loss of privacy by explaining that I will handle the data with utmost privacy and
confidentially using the most contemporary technology available to me (see also Section E-Confidentiality).
I’ll also explain that they can withdraw answers they’re particularly worried about from my research during or
after the interview (see Section 21-Participant Withdrawal).
Moreover, to comfort any fears of exploitation, I will ensure that they understand the LOI and project rationale
before we begin. I’ll remind that they’ll have full access to the work I complete from the interviews. Once
again, I will assure them that they can withdraw or skip questions anytime they are uncomfortable. Moreover,
I’ll explain that after the focus group has concluded, they can omit particular statements they made should
they become a source of worry.
These social risks do not exceed the daily risks associated with the lives of Palestinian women in the West
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Bank.
16.
Possible Benefits
Discuss any potential direct benefits to the participants from their involvement in the project.
Comment on the (potential) benefits to (the scientific community) / society that would justify
involvement of participants in this study.
Benefits Specific to Palestinian Women and to Palestinian Society:
Because of blocked mobility in the West Bank due to border crossings and checkpoints, many women
activists cannot connect or discuss their ideas on feminism and the national liberation struggle with each
other. The focus groups and interview questions, in and of themselves, will help Palestinian women learn
about women in other Palestinian villages/cities, the PACBI campaign and international women’s conferences
being held in the West Bank. Most Palestinian women are restricted from travelling to Ramallah and
Jerusalem, where most feminist activism takes place in the West Bank. As such, their access to the written
final product will also help bridge discussions among Palestinian women as I intend to translate my
dissertation to Arabic and distribute it to the West Bank universities.
Moreover, the use of interviewee answers in my dissertation will give Palestinian women a medium
(among many others) to explain their points of view regarding the national and international boycott campaign
against Israel and internal patriarchal oppressions in their own society (such as domestic violence and honour
crimes). Palestinian women are a highly vulnerable population. They are oppressed in many ways and any
work that seeks to explore and understand the relationship between their priorities and national resistance
strategies (and all the overlaps) will aid in enriching a strategic way forward. As such, Palestinian women and
Palestinians, the world over, can enhance peace strategies with my research-interview findings.
Benefits to the General Field of Women’s Studies and Cultural Studies:
This research is an important contribution to the field of women’s studies, cultural studies and
globalization as it opens up and fills in theoretical understandings of transnational feminism, global economic
processes (such as the international boycott campaign) and international as well as transnational campaigns
for “resistance.” This work engages globalization in that it seeks to understand how narratives of “global
womanhood” such as those evoked at the Beijing Women’s Conference play themselves out locally in Israel
and Palestine (in the ways they interact with local forms of intra-national oppressions). Moreover, this
research is linked to the human condition in that it seeks to understand the ways in which various identities
(such as racialized, class and gendered identities) intersect with global trends in feminist theory.
SECTION D – < THE INFORMED CONSENT PROCESS >
17.
The Consent Process (< link to sample consent form >:
Describe the process that the investigator(s) will be using to obtain informed consent, including a
description of who will be obtaining informed consent and a script of what they will say, if anything.
Public Figures:
I will obtain verbal consent which will be recorded on a consent log. See Appendix D for consent script, which
will be read in English.
Local Women
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I will obtain verbal consent which will be recorded on a consent log. See Appendix E for the consent script.
Will also be read in English or Arabic.
Indicate how consent will be documented. Attach a copy of the Letter of Information if applicable and
the consent form if applicable. If there will be no written consent, explain why not and describe the
alternative means that will be used to document consent. Attach the content of any telephone script
that will be used in the consent process (if applicable)
For information about the required elements in the letter of information and the consent form, please
refer to “< Instructions for the Preparation of an Information Letter/Consent Form >”:
Because of the nature of checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank, hard copy consent forms are
inappropriate. Obtaining verbal consent is just as much a mechanism for my (the interviewer’s) safety as it is
for the interviewees. My experience in Palestine (in 2007) has led me to believe that obtaining verbal consent
is the safest way to obtain consent. The consent log will be stored separately from my research materials and
when possible, typed up and emailed to myself (at which point, I can shred the hard-copy chart).
See Appendix A and B for sample Letters of Information for Public Figures (to be sent over email in English).
See Appendix C for Letter of Information Script to Local Women. Will be read out in Arabic.
18.
Consent by an authorized party
If the participants are minors or for other reasons are not competent to consent, describe the
proposed alternate source of consent, including any permission / information letter to be provided to
the person(s) providing the alternate consent.
I will not interview anyone who is not competent to consent.
I will not interview any minors.
19.
Alternatives to prior individual consent
If obtaining written documentation of participant consent prior to commencement of the research
project is not appropriate for this research, please explain and provide details for a proposed
alternative consent process.
Because of the nature of checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank, hard copy consent forms are
not practical or safe. Obtaining verbal (rather than audio or written) consent is just as much a mechanism for
my (the interviewer’s) safety as it is for the interviewees. My experience in Palestine (in 2007) has led me to
believe that obtaining verbal consent is the safest way to obtain consent. The consent log will be stored
separately from my research materials and when possible, typed up and emailed to myself, at which point, I
can shred the hard-copy chart.
I will keep a consent log using ID numbers which will be kept separate from any research materials I may
have. See Appendix J.
20.
Debriefing (Participant feedback)
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Explain what feedback/ information will be provided to the participants after participation in the
project. (For example, a more complete description of the purpose of the research, access to the
results of the research.)
N.B. Please provide a copy of the written debriefing form, if applicable.
See Appendix G for debriefing verbal script for public figures.
See Appendix F for debriefing verbal script to be read to local women.
I will hand out the debriefing letters to the public figures. As for the local women I will read the debriefing
script aloud, (slowly and repeatedly, when required). I will also give local women my contact card (printed by
the Dept. of English and Cultural Studies) which will have the MREB contact info on the back. This card will
have no information about the research topic or questions. This way all participants will have my contact #,
address and email address in writing. I will also give participants the option to simply write down what they
want from the debriefing letter.
21.
Participant withdrawal
a) Describe how the participants will be informed of their right to withdraw from the project. Outline
the procedures which will be followed to allow the participants to exercise this right.
Participants may withdraw answers at any time until my dissertation is completed in Jan 2010. If participants
choose to withdraw answers after the dissertation is complete, I will delete their answers from my archives (on
McMaster University email) and will not use the information in further publications.
For public figures I have included withdrawal methods and options in the consent script and in the debriefing
script.
For local women, I have included participant withdrawal methods and options in all of the Letters of
Information, the Consent Scripts and the Debriefing Scripts.
b) Indicate what will be done with the participant’s data and any consequences which withdrawal
might have on the participant, including any effect that withdrawal may have respecting participant
compensation.
Participation in these interviews is completely and continuously voluntary. If an interviewee decides to stop at
anytime, there will be absolutely no consequences to them.
c) If the participants will not have the right to withdraw from the project, please explain.
Not applicable.
SECTION E – CONFIDENTIALITY
22.
a) Will the data be treated as confidential?
[ * ] Yes [ ] No
b) Describe the procedures to be used to ensure anonymity of participants or confidentiality of data
both during the conduct of the research and in the release of its findings.
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Public Figures—Confidentiality of data is ensured through:
A) Obtaining verbal consent on consent logs (kept in separate place from research materials).
B) The deletion of audio recordings and written notes before crossing an Israeli checkpoint or
Palestinian/Jordanian crossing.
Focus Groups—Confidentiality of data is ensured through:
C) Will remind focus group participants about maintaining confidentiality. The verbal script of this is in
Appendix E—Consent Script for Local Women.
D) Obtaining verbal consent only on consent logs (kept in separate place from research materials).
E) The deletion of audio recordings and written notes before crossing an Israeli checkpoint or
Palestinian/Jordanian crossing.
F) I will only use personal names if attribution is requested by interviewees.
c) Explain how written records, video/audio tapes and questionnaires will be secured, and provide
details of their final disposal or storage.
Interviews will be recorded on an audio recorder and I will also be taking notes when the interviewee’s
consent is granted. I will upload and email the audio file to myself through my McMaster University email
address (using a Secure Socket Layer email). If the McMaster university email server does not accommodate
the size of the audio files I will upload them directly from my recorder to a private website such as
www.sendspace.com. I will then delete audio recordings and shred paper notes before I approach a
checkpoint or crossing. I will use local university computer labs before I have to go through a checkpoint or
border crossing.
There is a university computer lab in each of the cities I’m conducting interviews in. Therefore I will not have
to go through a checkpoint after interviews to access a university computer lab.
 Universities include: An-Najah National University (which is connected to Tul Karem, Irtah and
Nablus), Bir Zeit University (which is connected to Ramallah and Bir Zeit), Hebrew University of
Jerusalem (for Jerusalem), American University of Jenin (for Jenin), Hebron University (for Hebron)
and Bethlehem University (for Bethlehem). I have now included this information in my application
under section
I will do my best to ensure that there are no key-loggers on the computer I am using. I’m in the process of
being trained to check for this when the key-logger is an external device. This means that all of my interview
information will be in email form or on a private file transfer network such as the aforementioned
www.sendspace.com with no hard-copies. Should any interviewee withdraw at any time I will permanently
delete information I gathered from them.
d) If participant anonymity/confidentiality is not appropriate to this research project, explain, including
providing details of how all participants will be advised of the fact that data will not be anonymous or
confidential.
Participant confidentiality will be ensured except for the persons who request attribution. Public and political
figures regularly publish interviews and articles in international journals. They lecture internationally and seek
exposure on the internet and on television. Their identity might be guessed by some readers. However, I
suspect that most, if not all, public figures will desire attribution. If not, I’ll explain the risk of their identity
being guessed and collaborate with the participant on reducing identifying markers of their identity in my
writings.
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SECTION F -- MONITORING ONGOING RESEARCH
23.
Annual Review and Adverse Events
a) Minimum review requires the completion of a “Renewal/Project Completed” form at least annually.
Indicate whether any additional monitoring or review would be appropriate for this project.
It is the investigator’s responsibility to reply to the Annual Completed Status Report Email which is
sent one year from date of ethics approval.
Not applicable.
b) Adverse events (unanticipated negative consequences or results affecting participants) must
be reported to the REB Secretariat and the MREB Chair, as soon as possible and in any event,
no more than 3 days subsequent to their occurrence.
24.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(Use an additional page if more space is required to complete any sections of the form, or if there is
any other information relevant to the project which you wish to provide to the Research Ethics Board.)
Not Applicable.
25.
< POSTING OF APPROVED PROTOCOLS ON THE RESEARCH ETHICS WEBSITE >
a) Effective January 1, 2006, it is the policy of MREB to post a list of approved protocols on the
Research Ethics website. Posted information usually includes: title, names of principal
investigators, principal investigator department, type of project (i.e. PhD; Faculty; Masters etc)
b) You may request that the title be deleted from the posted information.
c) Do you request that the title be eliminated from the posted information? [ ] Yes [ * ] No
d) The ethics board will honour your request if you answer Yes to the above question 25 c) but we
ask you to provide a reason for making this request for the information of the Board. You may
also use this box for any other special requests.
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< SECTION G – SIGNATURES >
Faculty Investigator Assurance:
“I confirm that I have read the < McMaster University Research Ethics Guidelines and Faculty Handbook >
and I agree to comply with the conditions outlined in the Guidelines”.
Signature of Faculty Investigator
Date
Faculty Supervisor Assurance: For undergraduate students and graduate students where the
supervisor is the primary supervisor for a thesis:
“I confirm that I have read the < McMaster University Research Ethics Guidelines and Faculty Handbook >,
and I agree to comply with the conditions outlined in the Guidelines. I have read the application and proposal
and deem the project to be valid and worthwhile, and I agree to provide the necessary supervision of the
student(s) and to make myself available should problems arise during the course of the research.”
5 Feb 2009
Date
Signature of Faculty Supervisor
Dr. Daniel Coleman
5 Feb 2009
Date
Signature of Graduate Student
Wafa Hasan
Faculty Supervisor Assurance: For graduate students where the supervisor is not the primary
supervisor, and where the research is not for a graduate thesis:
“I confirm that I have the < McMaster University Research Ethics Guidelines and Faculty Handbook >, and I
agree to comply with the conditions outlined in the Guidelines. I have read the application and proposal and
deem the project to be valid and worthwhile, and I agree to make myself available for consultation should
problems arise during the course of the research.”
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Signature of Faculty Supervisor
Date
Signature of Graduate Student
Date
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