Responsible Conduct of Research Training

Introduction

Ethical conduct and compliance are individual responsibilities that rely on many small personal choices everyday. Responsible Conduct of Research Training is provided to all faculty, staff and students through the University CITI Program account without charge as a tool toward effective mentorship.

• Effective July 1, 2019, Georgia Southern University tenure track faculty are to be encouraged to complete the basic course in the Responsible Conduct of Research available through the University CITI program account at the beginning of their tenure at the University. Refresher training requirements vary by College.
• Effective January 1, 2020, faculty who wish to apply for external funding or sponsored activity must complete the Responsible Conduct of Research course prior to submission. Faculty who receive awards from NSF, NIH and NIFA are required to complete training before your award account can be established.  Principal Investigators are responsible to assure that students and investigators hired on these awards complete training and are provided appropriate mentorship.
  • Training Requirement for Financial Conflict of Interest disclosures:  Both Responsible Conduct of Research and Financial Conflict of Interest training must be current.
  • Individuals who must disclose include Project Director or Principal Investigator and any other person, regardless of title or position, who is responsible for the design, conduct or reporting of research or work product of a sponsored activity. (Source: 42 CFR 50 Subpart F -Responsibility of Applicants for Promoting Objectivity in Research)
• Effective July 31, 2023,  –  Senior personnel receiving support on NSF funded research must also complete responsible conduct of research training prior to establishment of a funded award. Undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students who are supported on NSF funding must complete responsible conduct of research training and receive mentoring from their supporting faculty investigator or principal investigator.
  • (Source: Section 7009 of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act (42 USC 1862o–1), as amended)
  • All students supported on NSF, NIH, USDA-NIFA or NASA training awards must complete training. Principal Investigators are responsible to assure that students and investigators hired on these awards complete training and are provided appropriate mentorship.
  • Definitions:
    • Senior Personnel – individuals who contribute to the scientific development or execution of a project in a substantive measurable way
    • Students – undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral students enrolled at the institution and supported by grant funds or a funded training program.

Responsible Conduct of Research training access through the GS subscription to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program) as an online course, taken at your own pace.

• Access your CITI account through the Research Resources tile on your my.georgiasouthern.edu portal or click here.
• Instructions for Registering for a CITI account:
  • Using Your My.GeorgiaSouthern.edu Log In (Recommended method for Georgia Southern users)
  • Not Using a Georgia Southern Log In
• Once you have a CITI account, you must add the RCR course.  Once logged in, look for the “Add a Course” link near your course list,  scroll to Question 5, select “Responsible Conduct of Research Course,” and click Submit at the bottom of the page.

Choose Responsible Conduct of Research

If you have a CITI account at another institution, add another affiliation to Georgia Southern from the link on the Main Menu of your CITI account to receive credit for modules taken at that institution and to utilize the GS electronic systems.  (Do not drop your affiliation with prior institutions or courses taken under that institution will be deleted by the CITI system.  You may have an unlimited number of affiliations.)  Be aware that some institutions have customized their training selections or modules.  Only the standard modules that have not expired will transfer.

Resources for Faculty and Students

Faculty are encouraged to include responsible conduct of research in research methods courses and to include ethics training in mentoring activities.

Georgia Southern University Scholarly Misconduct Policy

• Scholarly Misconduct Policy-Section 404, Faculty Handbook

Interactive Resources:

• Office of Research Integrity – Research Clinic Interactive Video with facilitator guide
• Office of Research Integrity – Research Lab Interactive Video with facilitator guide
• Office of Research Integrity – Student Mentoring; Image Integrity; Journal Editor Interview
• James Dubois – 6 Short Case Studies for Teaching Moral Reasoning in Scientific Research

Online Resources:

• Office of Research Integrity – Online Resources and Courses
• Office of Research Integrity – Lab Management Training and Quiz
• Office of Research Integrity – Financial Management Primer
• Office of Research Integrity – Scenario clips
• Office of Research Integrity – Youtube Channel

• National Institutes of Health – Research Ethics Course

Books and Publications:

• The National Academies Press – On Being a Scientist, 3rd Ed. 2009 (free download in pdf)

If you have any questions about the CITI web site, or need assistance, please contact Research Integrity at 912-478-5465 or irb@georgiasouthern.edu.

National Science Foundation (NSF)

Responsible Conduct of Research training is required

• for faculty and other senior personnel who will be supported by NSF to conduct research
• for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students receiving support through NSF to conduct research

Georgia Southern University provides access to an online Responsible Conduct of Research course through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program that provides a base of information. Mentoring resources are provided to allow faculty enhance mentorship.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Responsible Conduct of Research training is required for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students receiving support through NIH funding that contains a training component. Principle investigators must submit a RCR training plan at the time of proposal submission for relevant funding that meets the expectations of the NIH. Such training must include a live training component and mentorship. Georgia Southern University provides access to an online Responsible Conduct of Research course through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program that provides a base of information. Mentoring resources are also provided to allow faculty to engage students in ongoing face-to-face education.

National Institute for Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA)

Responsible Conduct of Research training is required for all investigators, program directors, faculty, students and staff paid from NIFA funds to receive training in the Responsible Conduct of Research within 60 days of award or addition to the project. Georgia Southern University provides access to an online Responsible Conduct of Research course through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program that provides a base of information. Faculty are encouraged to be proactive to complete training prior to award or at the time of hiring on the award.