Our mission is to bring together care, research, teaching and advocacy for the best possible results, and to be global leaders in research and knowledge sharing, by promoting and supporting research excellence; building research capacity among individuals and teams; and providing research education and expertise, and supporting IWK Health and our research and academic partners.
On this page:
- Comprehensive Research Education Online (creo™)
- IWK Institutional Research Data Management Strategy
- Federal Requirements for Research Security
- ENRICH
- CITI online courses
- Online Training Opportunities
- Grant Application Review
- Consultation Services
creo™
creo™ (comprehensive research education online) was designed by the interdisciplinary research team at IWK Health. Their goal was to deliver accessible research education to support health care providers and trainees (24/7). Research is key to achieving the best results in health care. Staff, trainees, and physicians in health centres across Canada are looking to increase their own research literacy and skills: creo™ was created to fill this need. This platform offers online, interactive learning opportunities targeted at health care professionals. It’s self-directed or structured, so the learning depends on your specific needs. creo™ covers topics from critical appraisal, to developing a research question, to knowledge translation, and everything in between. This course is FREE for IWK staff, IWK MDSS, NSHA staff, NSHA MDSS, and CCHCSP trainees.
IWK Institutional Research Data Management Strategy
The IWK Institutional Research Data Management Strategy documents our commitment to the adoption of best data management practices by describing available resources and supports for researchers and by providing a forward-looking strategy for research data management at the IWK.
The Strategy was developed in response to the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy (Policy) which was launched to provide new guidance to institutions and researchers on the collection, storage and sharing of research data. The Policy includes a new institutional requirement: ‘Each postsecondary institution and research hospital eligible to administer CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC funds is required to create an institutional Research Data Management (RDM) strategy and notify the agencies when it has been completed.’
Along with institutional RDM strategies, Data Management Plans and Data Deposit are core requirements of the Policy. Available resources for researchers to complete their RDM strategies and learn about data deposit are contained in the strategy.
IWK Institutional Research Data Management Strategy
Federal Requirements for Research Security
The Government of Canada has embedded new requirements into their program guidelines to ensure that risks to research security (e.g. unauthorized access, disclosure, interference and theft) are adequately assessed, and that appropriate measures are taken to protect the research enterprise by integrating national security considerations into the development, evaluation and funding of research partnerships. The National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) was put in place in 2021 to secure private partnerships by providing a risk assessment framework which mandates the inclusion of a Risk Assessment Form in applications submitted to applicable programs –including the CIHR 2024 Project Grant. The Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) was announced in 2023 to ensure that federal funds will not be awarded to support research that advances a Sensitive Technology Research Area (STRA) if any of the research team is affiliated with a Named Research Organization. Researchers applying for federal funds must review the listed STRAs. If the research is considered sensitive, they must review the List of Named Research Organizations and have everyone on the team complete an Attestation Form to complete their application for funding. An overview flowchart is provided here to guide researchers through the NSGRP assessment and STRAC attestation processes.
ENRICH
ENRICH (Empowering Next-Generation Researchers in Perinatal and Child Health) is a platform which provides a series of training paths and awards for learners to engage in advanced training in perinatal and child health research. For more information please contact Jill.Hatchette@iwk.nshealth.ca.
CITI online courses for IWK researchers and staff
In conjunction with our Network of Network (N2) membership, we are able to offer the Collaborative Institutional Train Initiative (CITI) online training courses customized for Canadian researchers. Courses are comprised of modules that may be completed over time. Completion of required modules with an average of 80% will provide a certificate of completion meeting regulatory requirements for training, for example, ICH-GCP or Health Canada Division 5. Citi Program Guidelines
- Good Clinical Practice
- Health Canada Division 5
- Responsible Conduct of Research – Life Sciences & Physical Sciences
- Biomedical Research Ethics
- Social & Behavioural Research
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Online training opportunities
Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans
All personnel involved in research at the IWK must complete the Tri-Council Policy Statement 2 (TCPS 2) online tutorial. This is particularly true for research staff who have contact with research subjects or access to identifying personal health information.
Introductory Tutorial for the Tri-Council Policy Statement 2 (2022)
NIH funded projects
All researchers receiving NIH funding MUST complete the NIH intramural online module
Office For Human Research Protections (OHRP): Human Subject Assurance Training
Grant application review
Whether you’re a first time applicant or experienced researcher, a review of your grant application may provide valuable insights prior to submission. Our consulting scientists welcome the opportunity to assist you by reviewing your application and providing relevant feedback. Please ensure you contact us well in advance of the submission date to allow adequate time for a thorough review. For more information please contact researchethicsIWK@iwk.nshealth.ca.
Consultation services
Interdisciplinary Research is pleased to offer consulting services to individuals or groups. Our experienced consulting scientist, Dr. Jill Hatchette, is available to provide direct assistance with your research needs. She provides guidance for all stages of the research process, for both qualitative and quantitative methods. For more information please contact Jill.Hatchette@iwk.nshealth.ca.