Responsible Conduct of Research
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- For information, contact Donna Eaton, 285-3183.
From the National Science Foundation
"The responsible and ethical conduct of research (RCR) is critical for excellence, as well as public trust, in science and engineering. Consequently, education in RCR is considered essential in the preparation of future scientists and engineers."
From the NSF policy websiteStatutory Requirement
- From Section 7009, the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act: "The Director shall require that each institution that applies for financial assistance from the Foundation for science and engineering research or education describe in its grant proposal a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers participating in the proposed research project."
From the National Institutes of Health
"In general terms, responsible conduct in research is simply good citizenship applied to professional life. Researchers who report their work honestly, accurately, efficiently, and objectively are on the right road when it comes to responsible conduct. Anyone who is dishonest, knowingly reports inaccurate results, wastes funds, or allows personal bias to influence scientific findings is not.
"However, the specifics of good citizenship in research can be a challenge to understand and put into practice. Research is not an organized profession in the same way as law or medicine. Researchers learn best practices in a number of ways and in different settings. The norms for responsible conduct can vary from field to field. Add to this the growing body of local, state, and Federal regulations and you have a situation that can test the professional savvy of any researcher."
From "Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research," Office of Research IntegrityRCR resources
- NSF Responsible Conduct of Research resources
- ORI Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research
- Training in Responsible Conduct of Research (NIH Office of Extramural Research)
- On Being a Scientist: Responsible Conduct in Research (National Academies Press)
- Responsible Conduct of Research: Interactive Tutorials for Educational Institutions (Center on Materials and Devices for Information Technology Research, supported by NSF)
