Yes, it can be ethically acceptable to engage with certain individuals or their community before seeking Research Ethics Board (REB) review and approval, but this engagement must be done carefully and with clear ethical considerations in mind.

When Early Engagement is Acceptable

1. Purpose of Engagement
   Early engagement is often aimed at:

   • Identifying prospective participants who can help answer specific research questions.
   • Building trust and rapport with the community.
   • Understanding cultural, social, or contextual factors that may influence the research.
   • Co-developing research questions or methods that are respectful and relevant.

2. Ethical Considerations

   • Transparency: Researchers should clearly communicate that the engagement is preliminary and that formal research has not yet begun.
   • Voluntariness: Participation in early discussions or consultations should be voluntary, with no pressure or coercion.
   • Respect for Privacy: Researchers should avoid collecting sensitive or identifiable data before ethical approval.
   • Avoiding Harm: Engagement activities should not expose individuals or communities to harm or undue risk.
   • Community Consultation: In some cases, especially with Indigenous or vulnerable populations, community leaders or representatives should be consulted early to respect collective decision-making processes.

3. Institutional Policies

   • Many REBs recognize the value of early community engagement and may provide guidance on what is permissible before formal approval.
   • Researchers should check institutional policies and consult with the REB if unsure.

Best Practices for Pre-Approval Engagement

• Use engagement solely for information gathering and relationship building, not for data collection.
• Document the purpose and nature of the engagement.
• Avoid any activities that could be construed as research without approval.
• Plan to submit a full research proposal to the REB before starting formal data collection.

In summary, early engagement with individuals or communities can be ethically acceptable to help shape research and identify participants, provided it is done transparently, respectfully, and without collecting data or conducting research activities that require prior ethical approval.