Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is 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. It is critical for excellence, as well as public trust, in scientific research. Baylor University believes that RCR is an essential component of being a preeminent Christian research university.
Online Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training is required for all individuals participating in sponsored research and is highly encouraged for those participating in non-sponsored scientific research. If named in a sponsored research proposal, online RCR training must be completed prior to proposal submission to the funder. If added to a sponsored project after submission, online RCR training must be completed prior to award activation or prior to being added to an award if after activation.
In-person, discussion-based training is also available and builds upon the foundational aspects introduced in the on-line CITI modules. Moreover, these sessions serve to develop a culture of responsible conduct and ethical awareness, as well as fulfilling the in-person discussion hours and content required by some federal funding agencies (e.g., NIH).
Click here for training matrix and minimum requirements.
As defined by federal agencies, RCR encompasses the following areas:
- Collaborative Research, including collaborations with industry and investigators and institutions in other countries
- Conflicts of Interest (personal, professional, and financial) & Conflict of Commitment (allocating time, effort, or other research resources)
- Data Acquisition & Analysis, including laboratory tools (e.g., tools for analyzing data and creating or working with digital images) and recordkeeping practices and methods (such as electronic laboratory notebooks)
- Secure and ethical data use, including Data Confidentiality, Management, Sharing, and Ownership
- Policies regarding human subjects, live vertebrate animal subjects in research, and safe laboratory practices
- Mentorship – Mentor/mentee responsibilities and relationships
- Peer Review, including the responsibility for maintaining confidentiality and security in peer review
- Responsible Authorship and publication
- Research Misconduct and the policies and procedures for reporting and investigating allegations involving plagiarism, fabrication, or falsification of data.
- The scientist as a responsible member of society, contemporary ethical issues in biomedical research, and the environmental and societal impacts of scientific research
- Safe research environments
- Research Security & Export Controls
Baylor Resources
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Grant Template Language provides a description of BU’s formal RCR Training Program and suggestions for describing informal RCR instruction. It can be adapted for use in Institutional Training Grants, Institutional Career Development grants, Individual Fellowship Award, and Individual Career Development Award applications.
Agency websites and resources
- NOT-OD-10-019: Update on the Requirement for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research
- NOT-OD-22-055: FY 2022 Updated Guidance: Requirement for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research
- RCR FAQs
HHS Office of Research Integrity (ORI) Resources
