Research
Involving
Niagara
College
Guide for Investigators
Interested in conducting research at Niagara College? Use this guide to apply
for Administrative Consent to conduct research at the College.
FORM OF INTENTION FOR PROPOSED RESEARCH
PAGE 1 OF 5
Form of Intention for Proposed Research
Protocols for Investigators Seeking Administrative Consent to Conduct Research at
Niagara College
Welcome
Thank you for considering Niagara College as a potential site for conducting your research.
Niagara College supports research and values its benefits. At Niagara College, all investigators
shall apply for administrative consent from the College. In order to facilitate this process and to
avoid any delays for interested researchers, Niagara College has developed the “Form of
Intention for Proposed Research” to be filed by investigators. By completing and filing the form,
investigators are seeking administrative/institutional consent to conduct research at the College.
Investigators
An investigator is any person, including a current student, faculty, or staff member of Niagara
College who is proposing to conduct research that involves the participation of Niagara College
and of its staff and/or students (e.g. investigators may be masters or doctoral thesis candidates,
researchers conducting research projects funded by other institutions, etc.).
Protocols for Research Projects
As a strong supporter of research, Niagara College is committed to ensuring that the research
that is being proposed at the College (involving human participants, data, information, etc.) is
feasible with regard to the use of its physical space and/or equipment, timing, as well as time
required by the college’s staff, faculty, students, etc. Therefore, the College has developed
special protocols to consider all research project proposals; these guidelines will also benefit
investigators by preventing and avoiding any delays prior and during the application process for
ethical review. Administrative consent must be attained through the “Form of Intention for
Proposed Research” prior to submitting an application for ethical review.
Form of Intention for Proposed Research
All investigators shall register their intention to conduct research at Niagara College and apply for
administrative/institutional consent by submitting the “Form of Intention for Proposed Research”.
The proposed research will be reviewed for institutional fit and feasibility through a multi-staged
process. If administrative consent is granted, the investigator may then complete the College’s
application for ethical review.
It is important to understand that an application from investigators that has been submitted for
ethical review will not be considered for review, if the Form of Intention for Proposed Research
has not been filed and administrative consent granted. In addition, the approval of the form of
intent does not guarantee clearance or approval by the Niagara College’s Research Ethics Board
(REB).
FORM OF INTENTION FOR PROPOSED RESEARCH
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How to Apply?
1. Register your intention and request administrative consent by completing the Form of
Intention for Proposed Research(below)
2. Where applicable, submit all the required documents (e.g., copies of approval letters from the
sponsoring agency and/or from the corresponding institution’s Research Ethics Board).
3. E-mail the form to Katerina Gonzalez at kgonzalez@niagaracollege.ca.
4. Once the College has reviewed the form, the investigator will be notified by e-mail whether it
will be feasible to conduct the proposed research at the College.
5. If the investigator receives administrative consent, the investigator may then proceed with the
College’s application for ethical review.
Helpful I
nformation for Completing the Form
For all sections
1. Complete all sections and do not leave any sections blank.
2. Input “NA,” if not applicable.
3. Where applicable, attach all supporting documentation.
4. Answer all questions in plain language and in a clear and concise manner.
The Role of Ni
agara College: What will the role of Niagara College be in relation to your
research needs (e.g., use of physical space, equipment, or partnerships with staff, departments,
etc.). What collaboration will you expect from Niagara College and with whom (e.g., faculty,
departments, students, etc.). Please provide details.
Research Dates: T
he proposed date refers to the beginning of the recruitment and to the
completion of collecting and analyzing data. This includes the completion of reporting results.
Research Summary: Introductory summary of the proposed study shall be brief and shall
provide sufficient information for the reader to understand the rationale, purpose, and methods
of the research project.
Study Backgr
ound: The background may include references to literature to support the need
to conduct the proposed research.
Purpose: T
he purpose of the study shall include the main reason(s) why the study is being
conducted. It may include the hypothesis/aim/research questions.
FORM OF INTENTION FOR PROPOSED RESEARCH
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Objective: The objective(s) of the research project shall include a statement/s of what new
knowledge is hoped to be gained.
Methodology:
The methodology shall include all procedures to be used for involving
participants, methods for collecting and analyzing data, as well as the type of data to be
collected.
Research Inst
ruments: Research instruments shall be a copy of all final documents such as
questionnaires, surveys, interview/telephone scripts, recruitment posters, flyers, e-mail
communication, etc.
Research Part
icipants: The research participants shall include a description of the quantity,
who the participants will be, including exclusions/inclusions of certain groups (e.g., women,
children, older adults, etc.) This information will help identify potential vulnerability of the
participants.
Level of Risks
: Describe the level of risks, including minimal risks. When evaluating the risks
to participants, this is an evaluation of the risks of harm. Minimal risks are risks in which the
probability of possible harms implied by participation in the research is no greater than those
encountered by participants in the aspect of their everyday life that relates to the research.
Consent Process: How will the informed consent process be conducted? Please explain the
consent process and attach consent forms provided to participants.
Safeguarding I
nformation: How will confidentiality and privacy of the participants be
safeguarded? Consider explaining any labels, linkage of data, accessibility of data, storage of
data (e.g., include location and for how long).
Conflicts of Interests: Are there any perceived, potential, or actual conflicts of interests?
Conflicts of interests may vary from various forms (e.g., institutional, researcher/participant,
etc.). Please identify any potential, perceived, or actual conflicts of interests. Provide an
explanation of the actions that will be taken to deal with any conflicts.
FORM OF INTENTION FOR PROPOSED RESEARCH
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Form of Intention for Proposed Research
Please answ
er all questions and complete as indicated for each section.
Investigator Information
Investigator Name:
Title/
Position:
Institution/Agency:
Phone/Extension: E-mail:
Provide a brief introduction about yourself and your research experience.
Project General Information
Research Project Title:
Where will the research be
conducted? Provide a brief
description of the location of
the research.
The proposed dates for the
research?
From: To:
What will the role of Niagara
College be in relation to your
research needs (e.g., use of
physical space, equipment, or
partnerships with staff,
departments, etc.). Please
provide details.
Has any other Ethics Board approved this project? Yes No Pending
Provide an introductory summary of the proposed research project.
FORM OF INTENTION FOR PROPOSED RESEARCH
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Research Project Details
1. Provide a brief summary of the research study background. (maximum 100 words)
2. What is the purpose of the research project, and what are the potential benefits for Niagara
College? (maximum 100 words)
3. What is/are the research objective(s)? (maximum 100 words)
4. Please explai
n the methodology?
5. What res
earch instruments will be used (e.g. surveys, questionnaires, recruitment posters,
etc.)? Attach copies of all final research instruments.
6. Explain w
ho the research participants will be, the number of research participants you
require, how they will be recruited and the estimated time commitment per participant per
research instrument?
7. How wil
l confidentiality and privacy of the participants be safeguarded?
8. Explain any
perceived, potential, or actual conflicts of interests?