Conflicts of Interest Involving Researchers
Everyone involved in the research enterprise has a potential for conflict
of interest. In some instances, individuals may be genuinely unaware of
a perceived, potential or actual conflict. It follows that all those involved
in research should never underestimate what constitutes a conflict of
interest.
The TCPS requires that researchers disclose actual, potential or perceived
conflicts of interests to the REB. The REB undertakes an assessment of
the potential implications of the apparent or real conflict of interest.
To do this, the REB might ask questions such as the following:
- Would an outside observer question the ability of the researcher to
make a reasonable and proper decision despite his or her private or
personal interests?
- Would the public believe that the trust relationship between the researcher
and the research subject could be reasonably maintained if the research
subject had accurate information on the potential sources of conflict
of interest?
Should a significant potential or perceived conflict of interest be identified,
the conflict of interest is managed using a proportionate
approach to ethics review. The REB may ask the researcher to disclose
the conflict of interest to prospective subjects during the free and informed
consent process. If the conflict of interest is pervasive, the REB may
ask the researcher to abandon one of the conflicting interest(s).
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