Secondary Use of Data

When do you need REB approval for "secondary use of data"?

Review by a research ethics board is required for all research that relies exclusively on secondary use of information or human biological materials, unless the information or materials are anonymous and the process of data linkage or recording or dissemination of results does not generate identifiable information.   

Secondary use: The use in research of information or human biological materials originally collected for a purpose other than the current research purpose.

Anonymous: The information or human biological materials never had identifiers associated with it (e.g. anonymous surveys) and risk of identification of individuals is low or very low.

For assistance with determining whether your secondary use of data requires review by the research ethics board, contact Research Ethics.