Responsible Conduct of Research

BioInnovation LabFederal regulations define research misconduct as “fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results.” Faculty, staff, and students of KSU are expected to conform to the highest ethical and legal standards in research and creative activities. The scholarly misconduct policy is located in the KSU University Handbook.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Research Integrity has numerous resources and information regarding the responsible conduct of research.

RCR Training

Ideally, all researchers will receive formal (or at least informal) RCR training at various points in their careers. Currently, there are no systematic training requirements for all researchers. This is an area that is continually examined and reevaluated at the national level.

Some researchers are required to complete RCR training per federal sponsor requirements:

  • All investigators on projects supported by NSF research funds (submissions starting July 31, 2023; students and trainees paid for NSF funds for submissions prior to July 31, 2023)
  • Trainees supported by certain NIH funding mechanisms (fellowships and training grants, including NRSA fellowships)

In addition, the Office of Research will require RCR training for any postdoctoral researchers supported by funds from our office.

KSU now offers in-person RCR training via a zero-credit course cross-listed for undergraduate and graduate students: RES 4100/6100 Responsible Conduct of Research. This class will have at least one section per fall and spring semester. Additional sections by program or research area can be offered in consultation with the Director of Research Compliance. Any non-student researcher is free to attend the course on an unofficial audit basis; upon successful completion attendees will receive a certificate signifying compliance with RCR training requirements that satisfy federal regulations.

CITI RCR training is still available and highly encouraged for all faculty, staff, and student researchers at KSU. Please note that this training does not meet NIH requirements due to the lack of a face-to-face component. This course also does not satisfy the requirements for Institutional Review Board human subjects research protocol approval. CITI training does meet the faculty and other senior personnel training requirement for NSF awards.

Federal sponsor agencies are currently revisiting RCR training requirements as part of the changes included in the CHIPS and Science Act. We will monitor the guidance coming out of the federal government and notify affected research project teams of any changes as we learn of them.

Please contact researchcomp@kennesaw.edu with any questions you may have.

GENERAL RES 4100/6100 COURSE SYLLABUS (PDF) CITI Instructions - Registration and RCR Course Selection (PDF)

Additional Resource

Click here for the Guidelines and Policies for the Conduct of Research in the Intramural Program at NIH. 

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