Section outline

  • During your first semester, you will complete A1: Thesis Proposal and A2: Research Ethics Board (REB) Application for engaging in research with human participants. There is a considerable amount of overlap between these two assignments, but they serve very different purposes. While A1 and A2 share similar content—such as the research question, methodology, and participant details—they serve distinct purposes. A1: Thesis Proposal demonstrates your scholarly readiness to conduct graduate-level research and lays the academic foundation for your thesis. In contrast, A2: REB Application is a formal ethics submission required for any research involving human participants. It ensures your study meets ethical standards related to consent, confidentiality, and participant safety, and must be approved before data collection can begin.

    • A1: Thesis Proposal Folder

      Use this template to complete the Thesis Proposal. An example is also provided as a guide. 

    • A2: Ethics Application Folder

      Research Ethics Application

      ROMEO is TRU’s online portal for submitting research ethics applications. As a student, you’ll use ROMEO to complete your REB proposal, upload documents like consent forms and your TCPS2 certificate, and track your application’s progress. Your supervisor must review and approve the application before you can submit. ROMEO keeps everything organized and paperless, and you’ll receive updates directly through the system. It takes approximately 4 weeks for the Research Ethics Board to review applications. Most applications require minor or major revisions, so anticipate at least 6 weeks for this process to be completed. Once approved, you’ll get an official letter and can begin data collection.

      Access ROMEO and create an account by following this link: ROMEO - Researcher Portal

      Sample REB Applications

      This set of sample Research Ethics Board (REB) proposals provides examples of how graduate students have articulated their research purpose, methodology, participant recruitment, consent processes, and ethical considerations. These samples illustrate diverse approaches to educational research involving human participants and serve as models for aligning inquiry with ethical standards. Refer to these samples to better understand how to structure your own proposals and anticipate common revisions requested by ethics reviewers.