Responsible Conduct of Research

Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RCR) Requirements

Education in RCR is considered essential in the preparation of future scientists and engineers. The responsible and ethical conduct of research is critical for excellence, as well as public trust, in science and engineering.

RCR involves not only a responsibility to generate and disseminate knowledge with rigor and integrity, but also a responsibility to: 

• Conduct peer review with the highest ethical standards.
• Diligently protect proprietary information and intellectual property from inappropriate disclosure.
• Treat students and colleagues fairly and with respect

The goals of RCR education and training are to:

• Develop, foster, and maintain a culture of integrity in science;
• Discourage and prevent unethical conduct;
• Empower researchers to hold themselves and others accountable to high ethical standards;
• Increase knowledge of, and sensitivity to, ethical issues surrounding the conduct of research by researchers with diverse backgrounds;
• Improve the ability to make responsible choices when faced with ethical dilemmas involving research;
• Provide an appreciation for the range of accepted scientific practices for conducting research;
• Inform scientists and research trainees about the regulations, policies, statutes, and guidelines that govern the conduct of U.S. Public Health Service-funded research and promote compliance with the same; and,
• Promote a career-long positive attitude toward research ethics and the responsible conduct of research.

The subject matter of RCR training and education includes:

• Research misconduct and questionable research practices;
• Data management – i.e., data acquisition, record-keeping, retention, ownership, analysis, interpretation, and sharing;
• Scientific rigor and reproducibility;
• Responsible authorship and publication;
• Peer review;
• Conflicts of interest in research;
• Mentor/mentee responsibilities and relationships;
• Collaborative science;
• Civility issues in research environments, including but not limited to, harassment, bullying, and inappropriate behavior;
• Policies regarding laboratory safety, biosafety, and human and animal research subjects;
• Views about scientists as responsible members of society;
• Social and environmental impacts of research; and,
• Contemporary ethical issues in biomedical research.

NIH, NSF, USDA, and other federal agencies mandate that researchers participate in substantial in-person training in RCR principles.