I want to conduct some analysis on public datasets for COVID19 in my country, do I need an IRB / Ethical committee approval? This includes publishing this data on a journal.
I've been on my university IRB for 20 years so am answering from that perspective Your project will be Exempt, but you still have to go through the IRB to establish that (typically, they give you a document that says you're exempt and don't need full board approval).
However, typically, I tell people to go to their own IRB and ask their questions. That is what they are there for. Get it in writing (at least an email) and keep it with you as you move forward. All the best.
Decisions on the conduct of a study, including whether there is a need for ethical approval, is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator. ... Regardless of whether or not ethical approval is necessary, in the vast majority of cases research with human participants requires appropriate consent. https://www.bio.cam.ac.uk/psyres/approval
Yes. Avoid or minimize anything that will cause physical or emotional harm to participants. Make participants aware of any potential harms prior to their participation. Try to remain neutral and unbiased. Don't let your personal preconceptions or opinions interfere with the data collection process. http://www.njhealthmatters.org/content/sites/njhc/Ethical_Considerations_in_Data_Collection.pdf
The Office of Research Ethics receives inquiries on a regular basis from faculty, staff, and students asking if the survey or project they are planning requires ethics review.
We recognize it can be difficult to know if the activity you are planning falls within the scope of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS, 2nd edition).
This guideline attempts to provide additional information that will help in this determination. It is important to remember that not all data collection is research, not all research involves humans, and not all research involving humans requires ethics review.
Researchers are required to consider the ethical risk of any procedure within a research project which involves human participation or personal data, consulting the relevant Faculty, Department, School and University policies and personnel, before any work is undertaken. Advice must be sought in case of doubt.
Where more than minimal risk is identified, reasonable and proportionate independent ethical review must be carried out prior to research work commencing.