Seeking Participant Contributors

I am seeking participant contributors for my doctoral research. I'm collecting stories about the facilitators and barriers to applying the Tri-Council Policy Statement Chapter 9: Research involving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. I’m interested in any stories or artifacts (such as videos, literature, photos, art) you have on the topic that you are willing to share with me. The goal is to produce accessible materials that will be useful for REB members and research administrators in reviewing and approving health research with Indigenous Peoples. This study is being conducted to fulfill partial requirements of a Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST PhD) in the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of New Brunswick (UNB). I’m conducting this research under the supervision of Dr. Mary McKenna at UNB.

Why have you been invited to participate? You have been invited to participate in this study because of your role in research ethics review for health research with Indigenous Peoples. Your experiences and expertise as a REB member, chair, or research administrator can contribute to the conversation about how to apply TCPS Chapter 9.

How can you contribute? There are a variety of ways you can participate in this study. You can participate in an interview with me that will be done face to face if you live in the Greater Toronto Area or by GoTo Meeting if you live elsewhere in Canada; you can contribute your own digital story or collaborate in a collective story with other participants; or you can send me artifacts (resources, literature, videos, photos, art that are publically available and not bound by any privacy or confidentiality clause) that depict your understanding of the governance of health research with Indigenous Peoples.

Are there any possible benefits from participation in this study? It is not known whether this study will benefit you directly. However, you may find it rewarding to talk about your experiences with research ethics review for health research with Indigenous Peoples and contribute to the dialogue on this work. It is unlikely that there will be direct benefits to you personally, however, by better understanding what REBs need to apply TCPS Chapter 9, REB members and research administrators may contribute to your work.

Are there any possible risks from participation in this study[1]? This research does not involve more than minimal risk. However, there is always a possibility that during the interview you may choose to talk about disturbing experiences with unethical research/review. Your participation in the research project will pose no intentional harm to you and is entirely voluntary. You may stop your participation in the research project at any time, without penalty or prejudice. There will be no questions asked that will violate conditions of confidentiality pertaining to your service on a Research Ethics Board; this study seeks to understand your experiences with applying TCPS Chapter 9, not any specific research/er information from your institution.

What if I change my mind during or after the study? You are free to withdraw at any time and can do so without providing an explanation. If you choose to withdraw from this study, I will ask your permission to retain any data that has been collected so far. You are free to decline this request. Data that have already been processed will not be able to be withdrawn (i.e. once the digital product has been completed).

What will happen to the information when this study is over? The data from this study that is kept will not bear participants’ names or be identifiable after the completion of the project, unless you’ve agreed to have your name used in the project. Raw data will be destroyed when analysis is complete.

How will the results of the study be published? The primary publication product for this study will be the compilation of contributions in an open access digital source (i.e. e-book, YouTube video, or another online digital tool). The results of this study will also be published in conventional academic ways such as journal articles and conference presentations.

What if I have questions about this study? If you have any questions about taking part in this study, you can meet with the investigator or supervisors who are in charge of the study:

Ms. Julie Bull

phone: 416-700-9952; email: Julie.Bull@unb.ca

Dr. Mary McKenna

phone: 506-451-6872; email: Mary.Mckenna@unb.ca

You can also talk to someone who is not involved with the study at all but can advise you on your rights as a participant in a research study and is the person for you to contact if you have any concerns about the ethical conduct of this project. This person is the Chair of the UNB Research Ethics Board:

Dr. Steven Turner

phone: 506-453-5189; email: turner@unb.ca

This project has been approved by the Research Ethics Board of the University of New Brunswick and is on file as #REB2018-017

For more information or to contribute to this study

contact Julie Bull at Julie.Bull@UNB.ca

[1] If your institution would like me to undergo REB review at your institution prior to your participation, please let me know and I will complete the necessary documentation required.