Question 1
Q. What is the Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics (PRE)?

A. The Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics (PRE) is a body of external experts established in November 2001 by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)1, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) to advise on the evolution, interpretation and use of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS). PRE is supported by an Interagency Secretariat on Research Ethics (SRE).

Question 2
Q. What is the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS)?

A. The TCPS is the joint research ethics policy statement of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC (the Agencies), published in August 1998 to promote the ethical conduct of research involving humans. It outlines standards and procedures for research involving humans and applies to those conducting, participating in, or reviewing human research in institutions funded by either CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC. A variety of other institutions across Canada have also adopted the TCPS, (see question 6, below). An introduction is available online, as is a self-administered tutorial for those interested in a more thorough understanding of the policy and how it is applied.

Question 3
Q. Why was the Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics (PRE) created?

A. When the Agencies adopted the TCPS in August 1998, they committed to keeping it a “living and evolving” document, (see Question 7, below). Accordingly, they created PRE to advise them on the evolution, interpretation and use of the TCPS. PRE's independent and multi-disciplinary advice to the Agencies promotes high standards of ethical conduct, advances the protection of human research participants, and enhances accountability in research ethics.

Question 4
Q. Who are PRE’s members?

A. PRE is composed of 12 volunteer members drawn from periodic national public calls for membership. PRE members bring diverse expertise and views on research involving humans from such fields as ethics, law, psychology, engineering, medicine, research involving aboriginal peoples, sociology, political science, administration, and the public. A current list of Panel members is available on our website.

Question 5
Q. Who are the three Agencies – CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC – and what is their role?

A. The three Agencies are the founding partners who created the Interagency Advisory Panel and Secretariat on Research Ethics (PRE/SRE).

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), formerly known as the Medical Research Council, is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is the national instrument for making strategic investments in Canada's capability in science and technology. NSERC’s role is to make investments in people, discovery and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians.

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) is an arm's-length federal agency that promotes and supports university-based research and training in the social sciences and humanities. SSHRC-funded research fuels innovative thinking about real life issues, including the economy, education, health care, the environment, immigration, globalization, language, ethics, peace, security, human rights, law, poverty, mass communication, politics, literature, addiction, pop culture, sexuality, religion, Aboriginal rights, the past, our future.

Question 6
Q. To whom does the TCPS apply? Who uses the TCPS?

A. The TCPS applies to all research affiliated with or undertaken by institutions funded by either CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC. As a condition of funding, these Agencies require that researchers and the institutions with which they are affiliated follow the TCPS. Most of these 80+ institutions across Canada are universities and colleges.

Additionally, several Canadian federal government organizations, such as the National Research Council, the Canadian Space Agency, Health Canada and National Defence, have adopted the TCPS. Some professional bodies and provincial government departments use it as well.

Question 7
Q. Why is the TCPS considered to be a policy “in evolution”?

A. When it was first adopted in 1998, the Agencies indicated that the TCPS would remain a “living and evolving” document, responsive to new research developments, anachronisms, and identified gaps in the Policy. This is noted in the introduction to the TCPS, which recognizes “that considerations around the ethical conduct of research involving human subjects are complex and continually evolving. We therefore welcome comment and discussion, and commit to regular updates of this document.” To respond to this need, PRE is specifically mandated to advise the Agencies on the evolution of the TCPS.

Question 8
Q. How does PRE proceed with its work?

A. PRE assesses the TCPS on an ongoing basis, taking into consideration the national and international context, which recognizes diverse research ethics needs, activities and environments.

PRE’s policy initiatives flow from its core mandate which is to advance the evolution and use of the TCPS through its advice to the Agencies. To that end, PRE has launched complementary initiatives on important policy dimensions of the TCPS such as its interpretation, implementation and educational needs, as well as on participation in a national governance dialogue on research involving humans. PRE addresses particular TCPS issues and topics through its diverse working committees. It relies on transparent and inclusive processes of community and public engagement to help establish priorities and inform its deliberations and recommendations.

Question 9
Q. How does PRE advance the interests of participants in human research, and benefit the research ethics community of Canada?

A. PRE’s work and advice on the TCPS advances diverse interests integral to the ethics of human research, and is designed to promote and protect the interests of research participants. Its emphasis on an inclusive process for studying and developing new ethics norms applies the views and needs of participants to the evolution of the TCPS. PRE advocates modern TCPS ethics guidelines that are respectful of the dignity, welfare and rights of research participants.

Optimal implementation of the TCPS advances high ethical conduct, accountability in research ethics, and public trust. Through its work to maintain the TCPS as a living document, PRE seeks to ensure the continuing relevance of the guidelines for the benefit of the broader research ethics community.

Question 10
Q. How may I get involved?

A. There are a variety of ways to participate in PRE’s work on the TCPS. PRE welcomes public comment on its working documents. Public calls for comment on PRE working documents are available through our website and are typically open for a period of 30 to 90 days.

Responding to calls for nominations for membership on PRE and/or its special working committees is another way for the research ethics community and the public to participate in PRE activities.

From time to time, PRE also holds or participates in workshops, roundtables, conferences or other forums to engage the diverse publics of the research ethics community in the issues, challenges and evolution of the TCPS.

For more information, please see the Public Participation section of our web site.