Minimal Risk

According to the TRI-Council Policy Statement, "The standard of minimal risk is commonly defined as follows: if potential subjects can reasonably be expected to regard the probability and magnitude of possible harms implied by participation in the research to be no greater than those encountered by the subject in those aspects of his or her everyday life that relate to the research then the research can be regarded as within the range of minimal risk" (TRI-Council Policy Statement, 1998, p.15).

When a research proposal is deemed to involve minimal risk, it is eligible for an expedited review process (University of Calgary: Ethics Review of Research Involving Human Subjects – Section 4). If a research proposal involves more than minimal risk scholarly review and a full face-to-face meeting of the Conjoint Faculties Ethics Research Committee are required.

Interviewing employees about being sexually harassed by colleagues at work where negative emotions or reactions may occur.

The following list highlights some of the factors that raise the level of risk for research participants.

• information about the methodology or research design is concealed during the consent process,
• the research involves some form of deception,
•  information about participants is obtained from a third party,
• the researcher, or a research assistant, is in a position of power vis-à-vis the participants (e.g., an instructor or professor),
• there is potential for participants to perceive coercion to participate in the research (e.g., the professor will find out whether students participated in the research, there is a very high payment for participating),
• the research methodology, such as interview questions, could create negative emotions or reactions,
• confidentiality or anonymity of participants cannot be guaranteed, particularly in relation to employment relationships,
• some form of physical or mental stress is induced by the methodology, and
• the research involves potentially sensitive questions regarding culture.