The 2014 SMHS research study was approved by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board. In addition, the permission and consent procedures for the 2014 SMHS were approved by individual school boards and followed the procedures required by the school board.
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For teachers and principals, an ‘implied’ consent process was used. This means that if a teacher or principal completed an anonymous survey, the research team assumed that they had provided their permission to participate. The consent/permission process for students depended on the requirements of their school board.
This process involved one of the following:
- Active Parental Permission/Consent: In this case, parents/guardians were required to sign a permission/consent form.
- Active Parental and Student Permission/Consent: In this case, parents/guardians and students were required to sign a permission/consent form.
- Passive Parental Permission/Consent: In this case, parents/guardians only signed a permission/consent form if they DID NOT WANT their child to complete a survey.
Confidentiality
Student, teacher and principal surveys for the 2014 SMHS are anonymous and treated confidentially. Responses to the surveys cannot be linked back to individuals.
Any reports that result from the 2014 SMHS will NOT identify any particular student, teacher, principal or school.