Bernard M. Dickens Foreword Responsibility for the ethical quality of research involving the use of human subjects exists at several points in design and approval of particular studies. Initially, prospective investigators must develop their research protocols in awareness not only of the needs of relevant sciences, but also of ethical standards of the disciplines involved. Consultation with peers and experienced researchers in an investigator's field may sharpen sensitivity to ethical expectations of the scientific and academic communities, and of society in general. The University's duty of ethical screening is owed to individual human subjects, to investigators, students and the community of scholars, but it is also owed to society at large. The University must discharge its responsibility to society for the conduct which is part of its functioning.
Funding agencies have expectations of the ethical calibre of research proposed for their support.
This guide is designed to explain how the University of Toronto undertakes examination of the ethical features of research proposals, and particularly to indicate issues to which prospective investigators are expected to show sensitivity. It is not a comprehensive check-list of points of ethical concern. The guide aims to ease investigators through the process of University review of proposals, by illustrating the matters they may expect to be considered, and which investigators must therefore address. It is not pretended that ethical behaviour in research can be enforced by procedures or policing. Sensitivity of individual investigators to human values provides the best assurance of proper practice.