Drawing from educational research conducted in Canada and Mexico, university researchers explore how culture complicates both the ethics review process and the translation of ethical research principles into practice. University researchers in Canadian contexts seek approval from university Research Ethics Boards to conduct research, following policies outlined in the "Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans." In this article, the authors consider some cross-cultural ethical dilemmas in relation to educational research, which is often qualitative and interpretive in nature and conducted in schooling settings. Drawing from educational research, the authors conduct both in Canada and in an international context an exploration of how culture complicates both the ethics review process and the translation of ethical research principles into practice. As a result of their experiences, the authors focus specifically on issues related to consent, reciprocity, anonymity and confidentiality, and data representation.