About Us
The Clinical Trials Office was created as an oversight mechanism for human research activities conducted at the University of Alberta.
In order to ensure the Clinical Trials Office has an arms' length relationship with both ethics and research administration, it was decided, with the approval of the Board Audit Committee, that the unit be housed with Internal Audit Services.
While the endorsed mandate is broad, the Clinical Trials Office primarily directs its services towards clinical trials where the University of Alberta is considered the sponsor organization (i.e. Principal Investigator-Initiated trials). This focus is based on elements of risk associated with specific trials as well as resource constraints.
Mission and values
The Clinical Trials Office is guided by the following mission and values:
Mission: The mission of the Clinical Trials Office is to ensure clinical research at the University of Alberta is conducted according to the highest scientific and ethical standards, complies with local, national, and international policies as well as governing statutes and regulations, and that internal quality systems are comprehensive, appropriate, and effective.
Values: Society places a trust in scholars and researchers to pursue knowledge in a manner that respects the values of beneficence, freedom from exploitation, honesty, fairness and justice. These values will be characterized by a dedication to excellence demonstrated through:
- Integrity: The Clinical Trials Office will work to establish trust and thus provide a basis for reliance upon its judgment.
- Objectivity: The Clinical Trials Office will exhibit the highest level of professional objectivity in gathering, evaluating and communicating information about the activity or process being examined.
- Confidentiality: The Clinical Trials Office will respect the value and ownership of information received and not disclose information without appropriate authority unless there is a legal or professional obligation to do so.
- Competency: The Clinical Trials Office will apply the knowledge, skills and experience needed in the performance of its quality management services.