Responsible Conduct of Research

Responsible conduct of research (RCR) 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. In keeping with this philosophy and the requirements of certain funding agencies, the following framework for training in RCR is established.

RCR training for funded projects

Certain applications to federal funding agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) require the inclusion of a plan to ensure that grant personnel are trained in the RCR. The specifics of the training requirement vary among agencies and award types. Per federal requirements, TWU has implemented a RCR Training Policy (5.11) and has developed an RCR Training Plan for researchers. The TWU Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) will assist principal investigators and grant personnel with the arrangement and implementation of face-to-face portions of RCR training as necessary to meet funding agency requirements.

• Responsible Conduct of Research Training Policy (5.11) and Plan

RCR requirements for graduate students and graduate faculty

Effective starting Spring 2013, all graduate students and their faculty advisors must complete RCR training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) online prior to initiation of research projects for professional papers, theses, and dissertations. The certification of completion for both the student and committee chair must be attached to the prospectus submitted to the Graduate School for theses and dissertations. Departments/schools are responsible for oversight of documentation of RCR training for professional papers.

Please note that Responsible Conduct of Research training and Human Subject Research training including the Basic/Refresher are different modules and fulfill different requirements. Make sure you are accessing the RCR course when completing the training for this requirement.

Responsible Conduct of Research certificates expire after 5 years.  Certificates older than 5 years will not meet the Graduate Faculty requirement.

• Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Online Training
• CITI Instructions [Word] 
• Responsible Conduct of Research Policy [Word] [Word] 
• Procedures for Complying with the RCR Training Policy [Word] 
• Responsible Conduct of Research Q&A [Word] 
• List of Modules for each category (only one category required):
  • Biomedical RCR [PDF] 
  • Social & Behavioral RCR [PDF] 
  • RCR for Administrators [PDF] 
  • Humanities RCR [PDF] 
  • Physical Science Modules [PDF] 

RCR requirements for graduate faculty membership

In addition, faculty are required to submit documentation of completion of RCR training with their next application for full or full with dissertation chair endorsement Graduate Faculty Membership. The revised online application form asks for the date of completion and inclusion of the certificate of completion.