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Responsible (and Ethical) Conduct of Research

Responsible (and Ethical) Conduct of Research “is defined as the practice of scientific investigation with integrity.  It involves the awareness and application of established professional norms and ethical principles in the performance of all activities related to scientific research.” (NOT-OD-10-019)

Some funding agencies require personnel to complete some form of research integrity training.  Requirements vary on who needs to complete training, how they complete training, content of the training, and refresher frequency.  

RCR and RECR are synonymous.  For simplicity, the university refers to both as RCR.

Principal Investigators (PI) are responsible for meeting the RCR compliance requirements for their awards.  The Office of Research Compliance (ORC) assists PIs with tracking training completion and determining the best training option.  The guidance below outlines these requirements for common funding agencies and how the ORC can help each PI comply with these requirements.

Common Elements of RCR Training

The most common elements include:

  • Data Acquisition, Management, Sharing, and Ownership
  • Mentor/Trainee Responsibilities
  • Publication Practices and Responsible Authorship
  • Peer Review
  • Collaborative Research
  • Human Subjects
  • Animal Welfare
  • Research Misconduct
  • Conflict of Interest and Commitment

Agency/Sponsor Requirements

National Science Foundation (NSF)

NSF requires a PI, senior personnel, postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduate students (previously just students and postdocs) supported by an NSF award/contract to complete instruction in RECR.  NSF has begun to include “ethical” in their research integrity language, but again RECR and RCR are synonymous.

Training Requirements

Personnel must complete at least one of the following:

  • A CITI Program RCR course under Boise State’s course list
  • In-person training approved by the ORC 
  • Combination of the above approved by the ORC (e.g. GCOLL 505, BMOL 516)

A PI may wish to require additional training or specific training focused on their research.  A PI interested in offering additional training should contact the ORC.  

Refresher/Retraining Requirements

Personnel continuing to be supported by an NSF award/contract must complete refresher training at least every three years.  Refresher training must meet one of the training requirements outlined above.  

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

NIH requires a PI, trainees, fellows, participants and scholars under certain awards to complete instruction in RCR.  There may be additional training required based upon the award – this will be included in the award notice.

Training Requirements

Those required to complete RCR under an NIH award must complete a minimum of 8 hours of face-to-face instruction.  Some examples include:

  • GCOLL 505 or BMOL 516
  • Department or lab specific training/seminar/workshop that meets the NIH requirement of at least 8 hours of face-to-face instruction

Refresher/Retraining Requirements

Personnel continuing to be supported by an NIH award/contract must complete refresher training at least every three years.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institutes of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

NIFA requires a PI, program directors, faculty, postdocs, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students participating in research funded by NIFA to complete instruction in RCR. 

Training Requirements

Personnel must complete at least one of the following: 

  • A CITI Program RCR course under Boise State’s course list
  • In-person training approved by the ORC 
  • Combination of the above approved by the ORC (e.g. GCOLL 505, BMOL 516)

Refresher/Retraining Requirements

Personnel continuing to be supported by an NIFA award/contract must complete refresher training at least every three years.

Training Options

Suitable training options will be dictated by the award and associated agency.  ORC is here to help each PI determine the best option for their group.

CITI Training

The university uses the CITI Program to deliver a variety of online courses, including RCR training.  CITI offers a number of discipline-focused RCR courses though the content is similar, if not the same.  Users must create a CITI account and self-assign training.  CITI also generates completion certificates that can be useful for tracking purposes.  Information about CITI is available on ORC’s CITI page.

GCOLL 505

GCOLL 505 is a course led by the ORC that is available to undergraduate and graduate students.  A PI and anyone interested in using or taking this course should contact orc@boisestate.edu for further information.

Other Options

The ORC can assist PIs in developing their own training/seminar/workshop.  A PI should work with ORC to ensure the training meets the minimum requirements for the agency/sponsor.  

Tracking and Verification of Training

PIs are responsible for ensuring applicable personnel under their award(s) complete suitable, required RCR training (including refresher training). ORC will work with PIs to assist them with tracking training completion and determining the best training option. ORC may audit training records to help ensure PIs and personnel are meeting the agency requirements.  

Here to Help

The ORC is here to help with language for proposals, training options, and tracking that training for those who work on their project.  For assistance or questions, contact orc@boisestate.edu.

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