Reviewers are responsible for reviewing declarations with an identified conflict of interest (COI). In reaching a decision about the proposed management plan, reviewers should consider the researcher's or research staff member's roles, the nature of the research, and any interaction with human subjects. The more responsibility in research and at PHSA the researcher or research staff member has, the more scrutiny the reviewer will apply. Read PHSA's
reviewer guidelines (PDF) for more information about what reviewers must consider.
There are three potential levels of review for a COI declaration with management plan. Most reviews are completed by an initial reviewer, whose role is to decide if the management plan protects the integrity of the researcher or research staff member. The initial reviewer is selected by the health entity and usually is a department head, PI, or supervisor. This person is knowledgeable about the area of research they review.
If the initial reviewer cannot reach a decision, the declaration form and associated management plan is referred to a secondary reviewer for a second opinion and decision.
If the secondary reviewer also cannot reach a decision, the plan is referred to PHSA's Conflict of Interest Committee for final decision.
PHSA's Research Conflict of Interest Committee acts as a final reviewer on any conflict of interest declarations that cannot be reviewed by initial and secondary reviewers. The Research Conflict of Interest Committee is also responsible for hearing appeals of reviewer decisions and for performing audits.
Researchers can appeal any decision of their reviewer(s) to the Research Conflict of Interest Committee. Please submit any appeal requests to
researchadministration@phsa.ca.
