Responsible Conduct of Research

Research is foundational to improving and evolving our society and creation of new knowledge. Developing researchers must learn how to conduct themselves professionally and ethically with regard to research activities. Faculty and others responsible for supervising research by students or peers have a special obligation to promote and maintain an environment that encourages absolute intellectual honesty and integrity. This environment should promote open communication among researchers; an emphasis on quality rather than quantity of research; appropriate supervision of personnel; maintenance of accurate records related to research data, procedures and results; and equitable assignment of credit and responsibility for research and publications.

Responsible Conduct of Research training encompasses the following topics: collaboration, conflicts of interest and commitment, data ownership and sharing, human and animal subjects protections, mentorship, peer review, publication and authorship, and misconduct. RCR training is required by some sponsors and recommended to all nascent researchers.