Research Ethics Committee
Through an inter-institutional agreement with the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, the responsibility for the evaluation and monitoring of research projects at the Institut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel is delegated to the research ethics committee at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute.
The ethical examination of a research project can only be undertaken after approval from the scientific committee, without exception. The scientific approval of a research project is performed by the Institut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel’s scientific committee.
To propose a new project for ethical and scientific evaluation, the request must be submitted to the research ethics committee at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute at: recherche.comtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca.
To submit a request about a project that’s already been registered (renewal, amendment, etc.), please address it to: cer.reb@douglas.mcgill.ca.
The Institute encourages all researchers to consult with the Institut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel’s scientific committee for full information, as needed. Should you have any doubts about your obligation to present your request to the research ethics committee, please err on the side of caution. The committee is there to guide you in the right direction.
Necessary documents
To help with the evaluation of your request, please present a complete file accompanied by the correct duly-completed and signed form from the research ethics committee. This form contains the list of documents and information that must be submitted for the evaluation. For an evaluation of multicentred projects regulated by the ministerial circular, additional documents are required. Any incomplete files may delay processing.
Multicentred projects where the Institut is the Evaluating REC
You must use the Institut committee forms and provide all documents and information indicated on the forms, as well as:
- the list of all public establishments within the ministerial network that you will be asking authorization from to conduct your research
- all useful information related to local populations and conditions that may impact your project’s evaluation and ethical acceptability
- the positive result of your research project’s scientific examination, or an outline of the steps you took or will take to obtain a scientific study
- a list of all steps taken with other public facilities in the ministerial network or other research ethics committees in the effort to get your project approved
- a list of all previous key decisions made about the project you’re submitting by other research ethics committees with regulatory power
If you require more information, do not hesitate to contact the secretary of the research ethics committee at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, which has the responsibility of evaluating and monitoring research projects for the Institut.
Simplified procedure for ethics evaluation
A researcher does not have to submit their project to the research ethics committee if it meets certain criteria. For a list of all conditions, please refer to the Regulatory framework for the ethics of research activities under the responsibility of the Institut.
Should you have any doubts about the simplified application procedure for ethics evaluations, do not hesitate to contact the research ethics committee at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute.
Multicentred projects
Please see the following document on Multicentred projects . (French only)
Forms
Please include the Institut form that corresponds to your request when submitting your project. Ensure it is duly completed and signed, or this may delay processing.
Form to be completed for the evaluation of a new research project (French only):
Forms to be completed for a request related to an ongoing ethical evaluation (French only):
- Renouvellement annuel de l’approbation
- Notification de la fin du projet
- Demande de modification d’un projet en cours
- Notification d’un nouveau renseignement
- Notification d’un accident
- Notification d’un écart au protocole
- Notification d’une interruption prématurée du projet
- Notification d’un problème
- Notification d’une réaction indésirable grave (essais cliniques)
Research Standards
For a list of standards that the Institut uses to regulate research that falls under our responsibility, you can consult the following documents (French only):
- Les règles de fonctionnement du comité scientifique
- Les règles de fonctionnement du comité d’éthique de la recherche
- Guide à l’intention du chercheur
- Contenu détaillé du formulaire de consentement
- Abrégé du Cadre réglementaire pour une éthique des activités de recherche
- Cadre réglementaire pour une éthique des activités de recherche
- Directives relatives à la diffusion sur Internet d’une petite annonce destinée à recruter des participants à la recherche
- Directive ministérielle régissant l’évaluation des projets de recherche multicentriques dans les établissements du réseau de la santé et des services sociaux du Québec
Responsible Research Conduct
Responsible research conduct includes all behaviour, expected of everyone involved in the research process, that respects the dignity of individuals as well as the key values and principles to promote and achieve excellence in the quest for knowledge.
The Institut expects researchers and research staff to adopt, at all times, the best practices that make up responsible research conduct. For more information, please consult the Policy on Responsible Research Behaviour.
The process for managing allegations of non-compliance when it comes to responsible research behaviour varies whether this is a complaint lodged regarding the non-compliance of user rights, a participant, or an allegation that’s directly linked to the complaint.
- A complaint regarding the non-compliance of user or research participant rights: In case of doubt regarding the behaviour of a researcher or member of their team that puts into question the rights of the user or research participant, or to lodge a complaint, please contact the Local Commissioner.
- An allegation directly linked to the complaint regarding the non-compliance of user or research participant rights: In case of doubt regarding the behaviour of a researcher or member of their team that puts into question the rights of the user or research participant, or to lodge a complaint, please contact the President-CEO.
The responsible conduct of research
Meeting Calendar for the Research Ethics Committee
The Douglas Mental Health University Institute’s research ethics committee meets at fixed dates to evaluate all research projects that have been submitted. Note that the committee will only evaluate complete files. To evaluate a new research project, the project must first be sent by email to the Secretary of the Research Ethics Committee. These must be submitted no later than midnight on the day of the deadline.
Contact Us
Through an inter-institutional agreement with the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, the responsibility for the evaluation and monitoring of research projects at the Institut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel is delegated to the research ethics committee at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute.
Contact person for the research ethics committee at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute:
Mr. Fredrick Vokey
Phone: 514-761-6131, ext. 2708
Contact person at the Institut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel:
Ms. Jeanne Vachon
Phone: 514-648-8461, ext. 1632
Email: secretariat.cer.ippm@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Submit a new project