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1. Tri-Agency Policy Updates CAURA West
December 3-4, 2009
3. Content Phase III of the MOU
Research Integrity: Policy Review and Related Initiatives
Research Ethics: TCPS 2nd Edition
4. Tri-Agency MOU What is the MOU?
Memorandum of Understanding on the Roles and Responsibilities in the Management of Federal Grants and Awards
For more information and the full text:
http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/NSERC-CRSNG/Policies-Politiques/MOURoles-ProtocolRoles/index_eng.asp
5. Tri-Agency MOU What are the Goals of the MOU?
Demonstrate and explain the respective accountabilities of granting agencies and institutions in support of research, in accordance with the highest legal, ethical and financial standards.
Describe the basic requirements for obtaining and maintaining institutional eligibility to administer agency funds.
Harmonize agencies’ policies, whenever possible.
Clarify expectations regarding roles and responsibilities.
6. MOU: A Brief HistoryPhase I June 2002: MOU first released; included 8 schedules:
Financial Management
Ethics Review in Research Involving Humans
Ethics Review in Research Involving Animals
Integrity in Research and Scholarship
Environmental Assessment
Peer Review
Statement of Principles: Postdoctoral Fellows
Investigation and Resolution of Breaches of Agency Policies
7. MOU: A Brief History (cont’d) Phase II
February 2007: MOU released with 7 additional schedules:
Transfer of Funds from a Primary Institution to a Secondary Institution
Confirmation of Eligibility
Reporting on Performance and Outcomes
Ownership of Equipment and Facilities
Research Involving Biohazards
Conflicts of Interest In Research
Public Communication
8. MOU Phase IIIPlanning Stage
The Tri-Agencies are currently developing a Work Plan for Phase III MOU to finalize the objectives and timeline for the project.
9. MOU Phase III: Proposed Objectives Review, revise and consolidate (where possible) existing schedules
Develop new schedules or expand existing ones where required
Ensure consistency with current legislation
Harmonize MOU-related policies, guidelines and practices among the three Agencies
Review procedures for monitoring implementation and resolving compliance issues
Improve consistency and standardization across all schedules
Improve communication and education
10. MOU Phase III: Proposed Timeline
MOU Phase III to be in place by 2012
2009: finalize Tri-Agency work plan
2010: working groups (incl. CAURA), revisions
2011: broad consultation (incl. CAURA), finalize
2012: send revised MOU to Institutions for signature
11. For More Information http://www.nserc.ca/institution/mou_e.htm
http://www.nserc.ca/institution/mou_faq_e.htm
Agency contacts for MOU Phase III:
CIHR: Louise Desjardins
(louise.desjardins@cihr-irsc.gc.ca)
NSERC: Barbara Conway (barbara.conway@nserc.ca )
SSHRC: Carole Cręte-Robidoux
(carole.crete-robidoux@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca )
12. Integrity in Research:Research Integrity Policy Review
13. Promoting Research Integrity Integrity in research and scholarship is best described as developing awareness among all involved of the need for the highest standards of integrity, accountability and responsibility.
The primary responsibility for high standards of conduct in research and scholarship rests with the individuals carrying out these activities.
The Tri-Agencies expect researchers and scholars receiving agency funds to adhere to the principles of integrity in research.
14. Principles of Integrity in Research Recognize contributions of collaborators and students;
Obtain permission of the author before using new information, any information obtained through access to confidential manuscripts or applications;
Use scientific rigor and integrity in obtaining, recording and analyzing data, and in reporting and publishing results;
Authorship should include those who have contributed to, and share responsibility for, the contents of the publication; and
Reveal to sponsors, universities, journals or funding agencies, any material conflict of interest, financial or other, that might influence their decisions on whether the individual should be asked to review manuscripts or applications, test products or be permitted to undertake work sponsored from outside sources.
15. What is Research Misconduct?
Examples:
Fabrication, Falsification, Plagiarism (FFP)
Failure to reveal conflict of interest
Non-compliance with requirements related to human research ethics and animal care guidelines
Financial misconduct: misuse of research funds
Matters dealing with inaccurate or false information in an application for a grant or award
16. Tri-Agency Research Integrity Policies As the major federal sources of funds for research and scholarship in academic institutions, CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC are committed to the highest standards of integrity in research and scholarship
Current Suite of Tri-Agency Integrity Policies includes:
Tri-Council Policy Statement: Integrity in Research and Scholarship (1994)
Framework for Tri-Council Review of University Policies Dealing with Integrity in Research (1996)
Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide (updated annually).
MOU (2002, 2007)
Other (e.g. instructions to applicants, Award Holder’s Guide)
17. Tri-Agency and AUCC Integrity Policy Review Reviewed existing policy and practices and identified possible improvements in terms of policy, implementation, and transparency
Report of integrity review presented to the Minister of Industry in October 2008
Short and long term action plans developed
Plans include consultation with CAURA and the research community
18. Key Findings of Integrity Review Overall, the framework is sound and flexible.
However, the Agencies agree that policies and procedures should be updated, harmonized and clarified.
Four key areas of recommendations:
Clarify the Agencies’ role regarding integrity
Update and strengthen the current integrity policy
e.g., Definition, timelines, education
Improve the effectiveness and transparency of the policy’s implementation
e.g., Agency statistics, on-line tutorial, CIHR FAQs
Update and strengthen the current financial policy
19. Next Steps 2009: Inform community and initiate actions
Release of Tri-Agency Report on the Agency web sites
Letter from AUCC to University Presidents and VPRs
2010: Establish Research Integrity Advisory Group
2010: Revise policy framework
2011: Consult, finalize and implement revised policy
20. Other Integrity Initiatives: CRIC Canadian Research Integrity Committee (CRIC)
The Agencies, AUCC and CAURA are members of the CRIC, which commissioned a report on the broader issue of the state of the research integrity system in Canada.
The CRIC report provides a comprehensive overview of the Canadian integrity system; provides comparisons with models in other countries.
The report was discussed by CRIC members at a workshop held in Ottawa on October 5-6, 2009.
With the release of the report, CRIC member organizations can solicit feedback from their respective constituencies.
The CRIC will reconvene in early 2010, and any further action by CRIC will take into consideration the comments received and the evolving status of activities related to research integrity in Canada.
21. Other Integrity Initiatives: CCA Council of Canadian Academies (CCA)
Commissioned by Industry Canada to develop a common understanding of “research integrity”.
Question: “What are the key research integrity principles, procedural mechanisms, and practices, appropriate in the Canadian context, that could be applied across research disciplines at institutions receiving funds from the federal granting councils?”
First meeting of CCA panel held in October 2009.
Results of CCA assessment will be incorporated into Agencies’ policy revision.
22. For More Information
Agency contacts for Research Integrity:
CIHR: Karen Wallace
(karen.wallace@cihr-irsc.gc.ca)
NSERC: Marie Émond (marie.emond@nserc-crsng.gc.ca)
SSHRC: Margaret Blakeney
(margaret.blakeney@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca)
23. Research Ethics:TCPS: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans – 2nd Edition What is the TCPS?
A policy to promote the ethical conduct of research involving humans.
A collaborative policy: SSHRC, NSERC and CIHR
A unified policy: covers all fields of research involving humans
An evolving policy
http://pre.ethics.gc.ca
24. Why a New Edition of the TCPS? 10 years since the adoption of the TCPS
Time to update the principles and the guidelines
Time to fill in the gaps and address particular issues
Time to update certain subject areas
25. Evolution of the TCPS 1st Edition / current version
Draft 2nd edition / December 2008
Consultation / Dec 2008 – Jun 2009
Early Release of Chapter 9 – November 2009
Revised draft 2nd edition / December 2009
Written Comments / Dec 2009 – Feb 2010
Final draft 2nd edition – April 2010
Agency approval
2nd edition
26. Main Changes in TCPS Draft 2nd Edition Principles
Structure
Terminology
Guidelines Updated
New Chapters
Interpretations and Consultations Integrated
New Provisions
27. TCPS Consultation: Metrics Consultations
58 consultations and conferences in 17 cities
where an estimated 1,780 people attended
Written comments
226 submissions
128 from 123 individuals
98 group submissions
1,289 pages of notes and comments
Mailings
4,458 Draft 2nd Editions were distributed
28. TCPS Consultation: Participant Disciplines
29. TCPS Consultation: Participant Geography
30. TCPS Consultation: Participant Associations
31. TCPS Draft 2nd Edition: Next Steps Revision & integration of feedback: June-November 2009
Public release of revised draft TCPS: mid-December 2009
75-day written comments period
Presentation of final draft to Agencies: Spring 2010
Anticipated Agency approval: Summer 2010
32. For More Information Interagency Secretariat on Research Ethics:
secretariat@pre.ethics.gc.ca
Agency contacts for Research Ethics:
CIHR: Karen Wallace
(karen.wallace@cihr-irsc.gc.ca)
NSERC: Marie Émond (marie.emond@nserc-crsng.gc.ca)
SSHRC: Margaret Blakeney
(margaret.blakeney@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca)