“Community based research is not so much about individuals but a whole collective and group of people…In community based research we talk beyond the tri-council guidelines and focus also on the greater impact on the community…In community based research there is more of a community or social emphasis.” (NGO Stakeholder)
In Canada, all research conducted through an institution or that receives funding from Tri-Council agencies (SSHRC, CIHR, NSERC) requires an ethics review through an established Research Ethics Board. However, research in Canada is increasingly being conducted outside of academia (e.g., NGO’s, government, independent consultants) and more and more knowledge is being produced through community research initiatives.
You may be thinking…so what?
There is no ethical review process available for research being conducted in Waterloo Region and independently in the community. There are also no ethical review procedures required for most community research projects and ethical support for community research is difficult to access.“There is a need to protect our communities and to respond to the immediate urgency of community researchers to easily access an ethical support and review process!” (Community Stakeholder)
