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Responsible conduct of research (RCR) is defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as “the practice of scientific investigation with integrity.” Penn State believes RCR is the foundation to successful research. RCR promotes the awareness and conduct of established professional norms and principles when performing activities related to scientific research. RCR training provides guidelines and best practices that foster a research environment that promotes public confidence in scientific knowledge and progress for public health and safety.
Education in the responsible and ethical conduct of research (RECR) is a fundamental element of research training, and is a requirement of all researchers and scholars at Penn State as part of the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR). Many funding agencies, including NIH, NSF, and NIFA, require training in RCR as part of the funding requirements. Here at Penn State, we offer various opportunities to promote and educate on best practices to ethical research and scholarly activities. These offerings include RECR workshops and the Provost Endorsements for faculty.
Office of Research Integrity's Areas of Importance
The Office of Research Integrity at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has identified “areas of importance” in the responsible conduct of research (RCR). Additionally, Penn State’s Office for Research Protections has added other important topics.
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Brief Overview of Other Areas
- Safe Research Environments: Spaces that are safe and respectful working and learning environments are imperative for the community and the future of science. They should be free from harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of inappropriate conduct that can result in a hostile work environment.
- Ethical Peer Review: Spaces that are safe and respectful working and learning environments are imperative for the community and the future of science. They should be free from harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of inappropriate conduct that can result in a hostile work environment.
- Collaboration in Scholarship and Research: In recent years, the ease with which scholars from various parts of the world can communicate has expanded the possibilities for fruitful collaboration. In this environment, it is important to consider the best practices for research collaborations, as well as the complex ethical issues that may arise from such collaborations.
- Human Participants in Research: There a many important ethical issues to consider in conducting research with human participants, including (but not limited to) risks and benefits to participants, informed consent, at-risk populations, confidentiality, and the role of institutional review boards.
- Welfare of Animals in Research: The ethical principles and federal regulations governing research involving animals, treatment of animals, and institutional animal care and use committees, are an important part of the responsible conduct of research.
- Research Misconduct: Fabrication, Falsification, and Plagiarism (FFP) constitute research misconduct. Understanding the regulations, policies, and guidelines that govern research misconduct, and how to report an allegation of research misconduct is as important as the research being conducted.
- Conflicts of Interest and Commitment: The types of conflicts encountered by researchers and institutions can include financial or business-related conflicts, conflicts associated with research collaborations and publication, and conflicts in managing time and commitments to collaborators and advisees. Understanding what constitutes a conflict of interest, and how these conflicts can be managed, are an important part of the responsible conduct of research.
- Intellectual Property: Complex issues can arise concerning the management, protection, and licensing of intellectual property of researchers and the University. Resources for understanding the rights of faculty and students to intellectual property, and information about patents, licensing, and intellectual property issues related to consulting and entrepreneurship can be found on the Penn State Patents and Licensing page.
- Fiscal Responsibility: Understanding how to effectively manage project budgets, purchasing, travel, and effort responsibly, ensuring compliance with sponsors and policies (especially when working with research-appropriated funds), is an important part of the responsible conduct of research. The Penn State Proposals and Awards page expands on this topic.
- Research with Hazards: It is important that research be conducted in a manner that promotes the safety of researchers, research participants, and the environment. Researchers using biohazardous material, radioisotopes, or other potentially hazardous materials should be sure to obtain appropriate approvals for use, adequate training, maintain necessary inspections and certifications, properly handle and dispose of hazardous materials, and follow appropriate safety procedures. Questions or concerns regarding research safety should be directed to the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. Learn more about working with biohazardous materials or radioisotopes.
- Other recent areas of interest in this regard include the scientist as a responsible member of society, export controls, foreign influence and involvement, and the environmental and societal impacts of research.
Office for Research Protections
Address
200 Innovation Blvd.
Suite 110
University Park, PA 16802
The Office for Research Protections (ORP) ensures that research at the University is conducted in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines that protect human participants, animals, students, and personnel involved with research.