For the purposes of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans, Canada’s national framework for research ethics, research is defined as “an undertaking intended to extend knowledge through a disciplined inquiry or systematic investigation.” (TCPS 2, 2022).

There are many types of activities that can be classified as “research” and there are no definitive criteria for distinguishing a research project from one that simply resembles research.This determination can only be made on a case by case basis, but is necessary to ensure the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct.

The Tri-Council is composed of Canada’s three federal funding agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

The Tri-Council has laid out the ethical guidelines and procedures for research, and publishes guidelines governing the financial administration of federal grants.

The Academic Dean is the highest authority in the College with overall responsibility for research. S/he is ultimately responsible for all decisions relating to policy, procedure or ethical conduct in research.

On a day-to-day basis, the Dean of Academic Development and the research officer manage and decide most matters pertaining to research.

The research officer is available to answer any questions you may have about conducting research at Dawson.

If you are not sure whether or not your project is classified as “research,” please submit a brief description of your project, along with any existing documentation, to the research officer in the Office of Academic Development. The research officer will review your project and return with their assessment shortly thereafter.

The first step is to get your ideas down on paper. All grant proposals include the following sections:

1. What is the problem you want to solve; or what is the question you want to answer? For example “Does using language-learning iPad apps in French as a Second Language class improve student grades and motivation?” or “What is the environmental impact of the disposal of plastic water bottles?”
2. Why is this problem or question significant and important?
3. How will you solve the problem or answer the question?
4. Why is your solution better than what exists already?
5. What concrete, specific steps or activities will you take to answer your question? You can write these as milestones with specific durations. E.g. Milestone 1: Collect and analyse existing data from community organisation (3 months)
6. Why are you the ideal person to address this issue? What qualifications, experience, attributes do you have that make you and your collaborators capable of doing this work?

Check out the Research Resources page for grant writing tips, suggestions of books, articles, online resources, and you are well on your way!

Still have questions? Get in touch with the research officer for all further queries or peer review.

Check out our list of Canadian and Quebec government grants and grants offered by private funding entities.

All governmental agency funds awarded to researchers are administered by Dawson College, as is the case with all educational institutions involved in research.

Some agencies and private funders do not require College approval for grant submission; however, the Research Office would like to track applications to these organizations.

Please contact the research officer if you’re planning to submit an application, regardless of whether or not you need College approval.

Since 1996 Dawson College has reserved the equivalent of 3 full-time teaching equivalents (3 FTEs) to support researchers. Although priority is given to credited researchers who are funded through recognized research agencies (e.g., FRQ, NSERC, SSHRC, PAREA), the College tries to support other research efforts when there are sufficient funds to do so.

Faculty researchers who wish to apply for research release must complete and submit the annual Teaching Release Application form. The form is made available at the beginning of each winter session by the Academic Dean’s Office

The Dean’s Group will consider requests for release once funding competition results are announced.

The Research Ethics Board (REB) mandated by The Board of Governors, supports researchers in their mission to maintain ethical research conduct by ensuring that the following guidelines are respected:

• Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduction for Research Involving Humans,
• Politique sur la conduite responsable en recherche des FRQ
• Dawson College Policy on the Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans

For more information, please visit the Research Ethics Board page or contact the REB coordinator.

Before considering circulating recruitment materials, you should request that the person provide information about the nature of the study, including his/her Dawson REB certificate and letter of institutional approval.

If you have any concerns, please contact the REB and the research officer. You should also inform your Chair or sector Dean.