Frequently Asked Questions

A research study, sometimes also called a clinical trial or research experiment, is a way for scientists and other researchers to find out information about a particular topic or to answer a specific question.

For more information about observational studies, please visit: https://alzheimer.ca/en/research/participate-research/observational-studies

For more information about clinical trials, please visit: https://alzheimer.ca/en/research/participate-research/clinical-trials

Yes, all studies shared through the Alzheimer Society of Canada undergo a strict review process and are required to include ethical approval to be posted. Ethics approval ensures all appropriate ethical standards for the study are being upheld.

If you are unsure if a study is right for you, we encourage you to review our checklist of questions to ask to help you make the best decision. This checklist can be found here: https://alzheimer.ca/sites/default/files/documents/checklist_for_participating_e.pdf

Before signing up to participate in a research study, you should review ASC’s participating in research brochure to understand the risks and benefits of participating. This brochure can be found here: https://alzheimer.ca/sites/default/files/documents/Participating-in-research_Alzheimer-Society.pdf

Although research teams differ across studies, at the Alzheimer Society of Canada, an approved study includes one or more of the following:

• Assistant or Associate Professor (Principal Investigators & Co-Investigators)
• Postdoctoral fellow or master’s student (trainees)
• Clinical scientist
• Clinical investigator
• Research coordinator
• Research assistant

Risks will vary from study to study. The decision to participate in a study must be based on your knowledge of potential risks. This is why it is important that the research team provides you with information about the possible risks of participating in their study, and that you are given the time that you need to properly understand the study and the risks involved. Information about potential risks will help you decide if the risk is too great for you. In some situations, this will be the decision of your substitute-decision maker. It is important to know that participation in a research study might result in some inconveniences, such as lengthy travel to the site of the research study. Researchers may try to make it easier for you to participate by including flexible scheduling of visits and financial compensation for time, travel, or home visits. Ultimately, you must weigh the personal risks and benefits and decide for yourself if participating in the research study is right for you.

After you get in touch about a study, a designated member of the research study team will contact you directly. They will then follow the ethical procedure that is set in place to discuss your potential involvement and provide you with next steps for signing up.

Before signing up to participate in a research study, make sure to carefully review the study’s consent form and there outlined withdrawal procedures. If you have questions about withdrawing from a study, during or in advance, make sure to contact the research coordinator or designated research team so they can assist you with this process.

Yes. Any information obtained through the Alzheimer Society of Canada research portal will be kept confidential in accordance with our Privacy Notice. You can read more about the Alzheimer Society of Canada's Privacy Notice here: https://alzheimer.ca/en/privacy

Inclusion or eligibility criteria will vary from study to study. For each study, make sure to review the eligibility criteria listed on our recruitment cards to see if the study is the right fit for you.