Research Process

Research & Innovation, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital

The following information and supports have been provided to assist researchers who are interested in conducting a research study at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (GRH).

Research Study Steps|Regulatory Resources & Guidance Documents|Clinical Research Training Resources|Funding Sources|Related Resources|Contact Us

Research Study Steps

Researchers must follow the steps below:

1. GRH Affiliation

   • Alberta Health Services (AHS) Staff: Researchers must complete the necessary training on the responsibilities of conducting and overseeing research. For further information, refer to Clinical Research Training Resources. Additionally, researchers are required to submit a copy of the TCPS2 Certificate of Completion for each member of their research team.
   • Researchers External to AHS: To establish an affiliation with GRH, academics who do not already have one, must complete and submit an application form. Following a review, the GRH Research Office will issue a confirmation letter.
     • Out-of-Province Researchers: Academics must first consult with the GRH Research & Innovation team by emailing grhresearch@ahs.ca to discuss their study and explore potential collaboration opportunities before engaging with GRH management or front-line clinicians. This may involve establishing a sub-site agreement or partnering with a local researcher who can obtain Alberta ethics approval and AHS operational approval. To formalize their affiliation with GRH, researchers are required to complete and submit an application form. For further information, researchers may contact the AHS Health Systems Access team by emailing research.administration@ahs.ca.
2. Ethics Approval
   Researchers must submit an application for ethics approval to the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board. For details, refer to Ethics Approval Resources.
3. Operational Approval
   Submit an application for Operational Approval via the Northern Alberta Clinical Trials and Research Centre (NACTRC). Approval is required for studies involving AHS property, resources, staff, or patients, and must be obtained from each affected area, department or facility. Researchers must also complete a Request to Conduct Research form for GRH operational staff review. For details, refer to AHS Obtaining Operational Approval.
4. AHS Data Resources
   If the study involves health data, researchers must specify in their ethics application how the data will be accessed. They will be required to enter into a Data Disclosure Agreement with AHS (i.e. Health Records Chart Review). For details, refer to Requesting AHS Data Resources.
5. Cost Recovery
   If the study requires support from GRH front-line staff, or the use of specialized equipment, or space, researchers should contact the GRH Research & Innovation team by emailing grhresearch@ahs.ca to discuss needs. Note that cost-recovery arrangements may apply and should be established prior to the start of the study.
6. Study Participant Recruitment
   Recruitment can only begin after receiving AHS Administrative Approval. For details, refer to Patient Recruitment. If using a recruitment poster, submit an application for operational approval for the poster concurrently with Step 3 above.
7. AHS Administrative Approval
   This is granted only when ethics approval, operational approval from each affected area, and any necessary agreements/contracts (e.g., Data Disclosure, Clinical Trial, or sub-site agreements) are in place. Confirmation of this will be reflected in the principal investigator's NACTRC account, indicated by a gold symbol beside their study.

Note: If unsure whether your study qualifies as research or quality improvement, consult Guidelines for Differentiating among Research, Program Evaluation, and Quality Improvement. You may also request an ethics determination from the REB. They will determine whether the study falls within the REB mandate and whether review is required, or, whether it falls outside their mandate. Once you receive their decision, you can access the ARECCI Ethics Screening Tool to evaluate the project's risk level. Studies which involve both clinical research and Quality Improvement (QI) or program evaluation must have the clinical research portion reviewed by the relevant REB.

Regulatory Resources & Guidance Documents

• Food and Drug Regulations, Division 5
• Health Canada Regulations and Guidance
• Medical Device Regulations, Part 3
  • Guidance Document – Applications for Medical Device ITAs
  • Guidance Document – Software as a Medical Device (SaMD)
• Clinical Trials Registration Guidelines

Clinical Research Training Resources

• Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program)
• Training Recommendations for Researchers & Research Staff
• Tri-Council Policy Statement 2 (TCPS2): Course on Research Ethics

Funding Sources

• Alberta Innovates
• CIHR Awards and Grants Database
• Funding Opportunities Database
• NSERC Funding 
• Research Support Fund
• SSHRC Funding

Related Resources

• AHS Research & Innovation
• Glossary of Research Terms
• Learning Sessions – WCHRI
• Northern Alberta Clinical Trials and Research Centre (NACTRC)
• Research Ethics Boards
• Use of Health Information in Research

Contact Us

Contact us via email: grhresearch@ahs.ca