This page provides an accessible text-only version of the decision tree. You can also view a print format decision tree (PDF).
Is one of the intended purposes of the activity, project or data collection “research?”
The definition of research is “an undertaking intended to extend knowledge through a disciplined inquiry or systematic investigation.”
- Yes or Not Sure: Will the undertaking involve living human participants who may be observed, provide information, data, or responses to interventions, stimuli, or questions that are intended to help answer the research question?
- Yes
- Will the undertaking involve individuals whose involvement is intended to answer the research question?
- Yes: REB review and approval is needed.
- No: REB review is not required when the research may involve individuals who are not themselves the focus of the research to obtain information. Such individuals are not considered participants.
- Will the undertaking involve the observation of people?
- Yes: Will the observation of people be in public places? Refer to the definition of public places.
- Yes: REB review is not required for the observation of people in public places when it does not involve any staged intervention or direct interaction with individuals or groups, there is no expectation of privacy, and dissemination of results do not identify individuals.
- No: REB review and approval is needed.
- No: This does not appear to be human participant research requiring ethics review.
- Yes: Will the observation of people be in public places? Refer to the definition of public places.
- Will the undertaking involve individuals whose involvement is intended to answer the research question?
- No
- Will the undertaking rely exclusively on publicly available literature or other information?
- Yes: This does not appear to be human participant research requiring ethics review.
- No: REB review and approval may be needed. Contact the Office of Research Ethics.
- Will the undertaking use a person’s data or information that was collected for one purpose but now being proposed for another purpose?
- Yes: REB review and approval is needed.
- No: This does not appear to be human participant research requiring ethics review.
- Will the undertaking involve the use of human biological materials derived from living or deceased individuals?
- Yes: REB review and approval is needed.
- No: This does not appear to be human participant research requiring ethics review.
- Will the undertaking rely exclusively on publicly available literature or other information?
- Yes
- No or Not Sure: Is the sole intended purpose of the undertaking for Waterloo quality assessment or management purposes to improve services or practices within a program, department, club, or faculty?
- Yes: Contact the Waterloo office of Institutional Analysis and Planning (IAP) for information on the review of surveys and evaluations conducted on campus.
- No: The undertaking may constitute research requiring ethics review. Contact the Office of Research Ethics to discuss.
When in doubt about your undertaking and whether it is considered human participant research requiring ethics review, contact the Office of Research Ethics to discuss.