According to TCPS 2, which category best describes research involving humans?

• A. It is the Ethics of research involving humans.
• B. It is the ethics of animal research
• C. It is the ethics of information systems
• D. It is the ethics of governance

Answer: (A)

TCPS 2 governs ethics for research involving humans. The policy sets out how studies that involve people or their data should be reviewed and conducted to protect participants, including requirements like informed consent, risk minimization, and privacy protections. When your work directly involves human participants or their identifiable information, it falls under the ethics of research involving humans because the central concern is safeguarding people and their welfare.

The other options describe areas outside TCPS 2’s focus: animal research ethics apply to animal subjects, information systems ethics centers on data and technology contexts not specific to human participants, and governance ethics deals with organizational oversight rather than the ethical conduct of research with people. Thus, the category that best describes research involving humans is the ethics of research involving humans.