Responsible Conduct of Research

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Responsible Conduct of Research - Training

CITI Research Ethics Training for DOI, NIH, NSF, & USDA-NIFA Grants

If you conduct or participate in a DOI, NIH, NSF, or USDA-NIFA sponsored grant activity that involves student stipend or compensation, you are required to have this training.

It is also required that our office retain proof of this training for our records.

Once you have completed the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training, please provide Gwen Parnell, Research Compliance Analyst, in the Grants, Research, and Sponsored Programs (GRaSP) office with proof of certification.

Research Ethics Training is offered through CITI, see links at the right side of this page for more information.

Thank you for your cooperation and please let us know if you have any questions.

Notice of Responsible conduct of research (RCR) Training Program

California State University, Bakersfield’s training program for the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) will be changing as of August 28, 2017 - Fall Semester 2017. 

The CSUB Office of Grants, Research, and Sponsored Programs (GRaSP) will continue using the on-line Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program for the training and certification of Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR). The DOI, NSF, NIH, USDA-NIFA and other sponsors of research grants require RCR training by recipients of their awards.

GRaSP is required to retain proof of this training for our records. Trainees who have completed the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training, please provide Gwen Parnell, Research Compliance Analyst, in the Grants, Research, and Sponsored Programs (GRaSP) office with proof of certification.

It is the Principal Investigator’s responsibility to verify certification and forward completion reports of undergraduate student researchers, graduate student researchers and postdoctoral researchers. 

Basic RCR Modules (9 are required to receive a Completion Report, allow approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete the course, once the initial training is completed, the training is valid for 4 years)

  1. Authorship
  2. Collaborative Research
  3. Conflicts of Interest
  4. Data Management
  5. Financial Responsibility
  6. Introduction to RCR
  7. Peer Review
  8. Plagiarism
  9. Research Misconduct

RCR Refresher Course (4 modules are required to receive a Completion Report, allow approximately 45 minutes to complete the course, Required Every 4 Years)

  1. Authorship (RCR-Refresher)
  2. Conflicts of Interest (RCR-Refresher)
  3. Research Misconduct (RCR-Refresher)
  4. Financial Responsibility (RCR-Refresher)

The learner groups are:

  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Engineering and Computing
  • Humanities
  • Physical Sciences
  • Social, Behavioral, and Education (SBE) Sciences
  • Research Administration

RCR Resources

Note Important Changes: 

Note: The requirement specified in Section 7009 of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act (42 USC 1862o–1), as amended, to have a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to faculty and other senior personnel who will be supported by NSF to conduct research will go into effect for new proposals submitted or due on or after July 31, 2023. NSF, however, encourages the community to establish such training and oversight for faculty and other senior personnel prior to the July 31,2023, implementation. In the interim, proposers must continue to meet the guidance specified in PAPPG Chapter IX.B.

The responsible and ethical conduct of research (RECR) is critical for excellence, as well as public trust, in science and engineering. RECR involves not only a responsibility to generate and disseminate knowledge with rigor and integrity, but also a responsibility to:

  1. conduct peer review with the highest ethical standards;
  2. diligently protect proprietary information and intellectual property from inappropriate disclosure; and
  3. treat students and colleagues fairly and with respect.

Consequently, education in RECR is considered essential in the preparation of future scientists and engineers.

Section 7009 of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act (42 USC 1862o–1), as amended, requires that each institution that applies for financial assistance from the Foundation for science and engineering research or education describe in its grant proposal a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, and other senior personnel supported by the proposed research project. Such training must include mentor training and mentorship.

Research Misconduct

Research Misconduct Policy

Research Misconduct Procedures

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Procedures for Student Employment on Sponsored Projects