DAOD 5062-0, Social Science Research

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Policy Direction
3. Consequences
4. Authorities
5. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2014-06-18

Date of Last Modification: 2026-04-21

Date of Last Review: 2026-04-21

Application: This DAOD is a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) and an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Supersession: CFAO 8-3, Civilian Requests for Sociological/Psychological Research Assistance

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries:

• Administrative Response Centre (ARC) (for policy)
• Director General Military Personnel Research and Analysis (DGMPRA) (for office of primary interest)

2. Policy Direction

Interpretation

2.1 In this DAOD, “relevant civilian” refers to a family member of CAF members, a member of Canadian Cadet organizations or Junior Canadian Rangers, or an applicant for enrolment in the CAF.

Context

2.2 The DND and the CAF recognize the importance of understanding human behaviour, including the opinions, attitudes, and institutional and systemic factors that influence it, through the conduct of social science research that is ethical, compliant with applicable laws and policies, and demonstrably beneficial relative to its potential risks, in order to:

1. respond to operational priorities;
2. optimize organizational effectiveness; and
3. develop policies, strategies and doctrines for DND employees, CAF members and relevant civilians.

2.3 For the purposes of this DAOD, social science research:

1. employs the use of scientific logic or systematic methods, procedures and techniques to guide research on issues normally associated with fields of study such as psychology, sociology, economics, business administration, political science, anthropology or any other academic discipline that studies human behaviour and interpersonal relationships;
2. offers impartial, systematic and reliable methods to acquire an understanding of human behaviour through the study of a wide variety of human issues;
3. includes studies of knowledge, skills, aptitudes, attitudes, opinions, personalities, behaviours and other psychological or sociological phenomena; and
4. employs techniques that may include questionnaires, surveys, focus groups, individual interviews or participant observation. Social science research techniques used for gathering information usually assume an expectation of anonymity for participants.

2.4 Research with human participants sponsored, supported or conducted by the DND or the CAF is subject to DAOD 5061-0, Research Involving Human Participants, and DAOD 5061-1 and Research Involving Human Participants - Conditions, Standards, and Procedures. For social science research, there are additional considerations and requirements, addressed in this DAOD and in DAOD 5062-1, Conduct of Social Science Research. Social science research, as described within this DAOD, does not include physical sciences, medical sciences, health surveillance, public health research, clinical or health program quality assurance.

2.5 In accordance with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada definition of social science research:

1. the intended outcome must primarily be to:
   1. add to the understanding and knowledge of individuals, groups and societies; and
   2. understand how these phenomena may impact or inform behavioural or organizational policies, behaviours or factors; and
2. the rights and privacy of participants in social science research studies must be protected, and their safety must be ensured at all times.

2.6 Social science research may involve:

1. quantitative studies of human phenomena and their relationships using statistical and descriptive methods to answer research questions; and
2. qualitative research, which entails the examination, analysis, and interpretation of observations for the purpose of discovering underlying meanings and patterns of relationships.

2.7 For purposes of the DAOD 5062 series, social science research involves research conducted with, as participants, DND employees, CAF members and relevant civilians.

Note – This DAOD applies to research participant roles and relationships to the organizational structure of the DND and the CAF.

2.8 Social science research conducted by DND or CAF researchers that does not involve the participant groups listed above is still subject to ethics review by a relevant Research Ethics Board (REB). If the research participants include CAF Veterans exclusively, DAOD 5062 series does not apply. However:

1. DAOD 5061-0 and DAOD 5061-1 apply; and
2. the research is still subject to an ethics review by a relevant REB.

2.9 Clinical psychology research, such as that which might inform the diagnosis, classification or treatment of mental disorders and aberrant, maladaptive or abnormal behaviours, and research related to the promotion, protection and restoration of health, are addressed in the DAOD 5061 series.

Purpose

2.10 The purpose of this DAOD is to:

1. guide and support social science research within the DND and the CAF; and
2. describe the framework for the conduct of social science research with:
   1. DND employees and CAF members; and
   2. relevant civilians.

Policy Statement

2.11 The DND and the CAF must:

1. uphold the principle of academic freedom in the pursuit of accurate, reliable, complete, and credible research concerning DND employees and CAF members, and other relevant civilians;
2. ensure that all social science research aligns with organizational priorities, maintains operational and ethical integrity, safeguards the rights of participants to privacy and personal information in accordance with applicable laws and policies, protects the safety of participants and delivers high-quality, relevant findings without disrupting critical activities or contributing to research fatigue;
3. conduct the rigorous screening and coordination of any proposed research to ensure that it:
   1. demonstrates value to the DND, the CAF and the level one (L1) organizations in which the research is to be conducted;
   2. does not conflict or otherwise interfere with higher priority efforts within the DND, the CAF or applicable L1 organization;
   3. does not compromise operational security or the safety of DND employees, CAF members or relevant civilians;
   4. is conducted in accordance with acceptable professional practices and of sufficiently high quality so as to result in reliable, accurate and valid findings;
   5. is in keeping with the DND and the CAF commitment and legal obligation to respect the rights of DND employees, CAF members and relevant civilians, including the protection of their privacy and personal information;
   6. is conducted ethically, that participation is voluntary and based on full and informed consent free of coercion or undue influence;
   7. ensures additional safeguards are in place for participants at higher risk from data disclosure;
   8. does not contribute to incidents of refusal to participate because of research fatigue; and
   9. conforms to the DND and the CAF organizational aims and policies;
4. ensure social science research with the DND and the CAF conforms to the applicable Government of Canada’s laws and policies such as:
   1. the Privacy Act;
   2. Science Integrity Policy;
   3. Gender-based Analysis Plus; and
   4. the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2) of the Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics; and
5. recognize that:
   1. TCPS 2 provides ethical guidance to protect participant privacy and confidentiality, but preservation of anonymity depends on research design and practical feasibility; and
   2. DND employees and CAF members are permitted and encouraged to participate in social sciences research candidly, honestly and ethically with a view to generating accurate and reliable data.

Requirements

2.12 The DND and the CAF must:

1. establish procedures for a Social Science Research Review Board (SSRRB) to ensure the proper ethical, methodological, and contextual review and conduct of social science research involving DND employees and CAF members, and other relevant civilians;
2. provide education in the DND and the CAF related to social science research; and
3. designate a personnel research advisor (PRA) for each L1 organization to ensure awareness of and assist in the coordination and approval of social science research projects in their organization.

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3. Consequences

General

3.1 Should clarification of the policy statement, requirements or authorities set out in this DAOD be required, DND employees and CAF members may seek direction through their channel of communication or chain of command, as appropriate. The anticipated results set out in the policy statement may not be achieved by the DND and the CAF if the requirements specified in this DAOD are not properly implemented. Not achieving the anticipated results could affect the ability of the DND and the CAF to ensure that the CAF is prepared to undertake missions for the protection of Canada and Canadians and the maintenance of international peace and stability.

4. Authorities

Authority Table

4.1 The following table identifies the authorities associated with this DAOD:

5. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Privacy Act
• Policy on Communications and Federal Identity, Treasury Board
• Policy on the Planning and Management of Investments, Treasury Board
• Policy on Gender-Based Analysis Plus: Applying an Intersectional Approach to Foster Inclusion and Address Inequities, Department of Justice
• DAOD 1000-7, Policy Framework for Military Personnel Management

Other References

• DAOD 2008-2, Media Relations and Public Announcements
• DAOD 5002 -5, Canadian Forces Personnel Selection
• DAOD 5039-0, Official Languages
• DAOD 5061-0, Research Involving Human Subjects
• DAOD 5061-1, Research Involving Human Subjects – Approval Procedures
• DAOD 5062-1, Conduct of Social Science Research
• Science Integrity Policy and Instructions to the Department of National Defence (DND) employees and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members
• Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans – TCPS 2 (2022), Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
• Social Science Research Review Board Standard Operating Procedures, Sharepoint intranet site
• Subject Matter Eligibility, Social Science and Humanities Research Council

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