Research@UIC >Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR)

Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR)

“The scientific research enterprise, like other human activities, is built on a foundation of trust. Scientists trust that the results reported by others are valid. Society trusts that the results of research reflect an honest attempt by scientists to describe the world accurately and without bias. The level of trust that has characterized science and its relationship with society has contributed to a period of unparalleled scientific productivity. But this trust will endure only if the scientific community devotes itself to exemplifying and transmitting the values associated with ethical scientific conduct.”
National Academy of Sciences, On Being a Scientist, 1994.

Many research sponsors now require that all training grant recipients receive appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research.

The NSF and the NIH state the following:

NSF – Responsible Conduct of Research (Section 7009): Institutions that apply for financial assistance from NSF for science and engineering research or education should include a plan in their grant proposals for appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers who will participate in the proposed research project. For more information, please visit http://ori.dhhs.gov/documents/newsletters/vol15_no4.pdf.

NIH – Since July 1990, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has required all applications for Institutional National Research Service Award (NRSA) Research Training Grants to include a description of a program to provide instruction in the responsible conduct of research. All NRSA supported trainees must be provided an opportunity for training in the responsible conduct of research. For more information on these requirements, please visit http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2001/part_iib_4.htm#_Toc504812050.

If you are working with a different sponsoring agency, please read the program announcement carefully to determine the requirements of that particular sponsor.

In order to comply with RCR requirements, there are two options available at UIC: GC401 - Scientific Integrity and Responsible Research, offered by the Graduate College, or an on-line course, offered through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI).

CITI has designed and implemented a course for RCR that was partially funded by the Office of Research Integrity and DHHS. This comprehensive course is designed to meet Federal requirements for formal training in the responsible conduct of research. The new on-line course is now available for UIC members at https://www.citiprogram.org. Upon successful completion, a certificate will be provided.

The on-line course has multiple modules and covers the equivalent content to a full semester of instruction comparable to the Graduate College course, GC 401 - Scientific Integrity and Responsible Research. Register for the course and select from the following options.

Group 1: Biomedical Research Investigators and Key Personnel. If the focus of your research activities is primarily in the biomedical, biological, or health sciences in order to meet the initial education requirement you must complete the first 12 BioMed modules; to meet the continuing education requirements, you must complete the five refresher course modules.

Group 2: Social / Behavioral Research Investigators and Key Personnel. If the focus of your research activities is primarily in the behavioral or social sciences in order to meet the initial education requirements, you must complete the 11 SBR modules; to meet the continuing education requirement, you must complete the five refresher course modules.

If you have any questions, please send an email to: esauvee@uic.edu