Responsible Conduct of Research Q & A

Anthropology research

What is Responsible Conduct of Research?

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is being accountable in the process of research. Being responsible means performing research honestly and objectively, without wasting public funds or allowing opinions to influence the results.

Why does USM require training in RCR?

The University of Southern Mississippi is committed to promoting, supporting, and educating relative to the ethical and responsible conduct of research on our campuses. In order to achieve this goal, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) has authorized mandatory education in the RCR. The RCR curriculum is intended to follow the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) November 2009 update on its requirement of training in the RCR and the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) execution of the America COMPETES Act.  Because of these mandates, training in the RCR must be completed before receiving any sponsored programs funding.  

What is RCR training and where will it be conducted?

The RCR curriculum applies fundamental principles that are centered on the best practices in research integrity. It utilizes the online web-based RCR program at the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI), developed by national experts and hosted by the University of Miami. The subject matter is modular with brief online quizzes following each module. Completion of all modules takes about 4-6 hours, which may be done in multiple sessions. Upon completion of the course CITI will notify USM’s Office of Research Integrity (ORI), where a certificate of completion will be kept on file. The ORI will forward a copy of the completion certificate to the Graduate School and/or Sponsored Programs Administration.

For directions to access and enroll to the CITI web site and USM’s required courses, follow this link  http://www.usm.edu/research/responsible-conduct-research.

Who is required to take the RCR course?

  • All graduate faculty (including regular, research, clinical, part-time, and adjunct faculty) 
  • All graduate students
  • All Honors 300 undergraduate students
  • All IACUC chairs, members, coordinators, investigators, staff and students
  • All researchers, faculty, students, and IRB members engaging in research involving human subjects
  • All research staff (research scientists, project/lab directors/managers, technicians, assistants)

When must the RCR training be completed?

Training in RCR must be completed by the end of the semester. (All new graduate students must have training completed by the end of their first semester.)

Who to contact if you need help with RCR or CITI:  Jo Ann Johnson, Research Integrity & RCR Manager

                                                                                                     601.266.5997

                                                                                                     joann.johnson@usm.edu     

 

Click here for a PDF of this page.