University of Missouri - Kansas City

Responsible Conduct of Research Courses
Course Coordinator: Dr. John Baumann

1.  Special Topics in the Responsible Conduct of Research: An Introductory Overview  SGS 590A – Offered the first 5 weeks of the fall 2005 semester - Wednesdays, 4:00 – 6:45

 Responsible Conduct of Research

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is one of the newest and most pervasive phrases in the world of research. Its components touch on all aspects of the research enterprise regardless of the subject or discipline of one’s research.  As currently defined, RCR includes the following core elements:

1. Data acquisition, management, sharing, and ownership;
2. Mentor/trainee responsibilities;
3. Publication practices and responsible authorship;
4. Peer review;
5. Collaborative science;
6. Human Subjects;
7. Research Involving Animals;
8. Academic Dishonesty/Research Misconduct
9. Conflict of interest and commitment
10. Compliance with existing PHS and institutional policies.

 The aim of this one credit course is to introduce its participants to the concept of the responsible conduct of research, its core elements, the emerging guidelines and the relevant institutional policies and procedures.   We will address, as well, how these concerns affect the researcher and the conduct of her/his day-to-day activities. 

 2.  Special Topics in the Responsible Conduct of Research: Human Subjects Research SGS 590B – Offered the second 5 weeks of the fall 2005 semester- Wednesdays, 4:00 – 6:45

 The involvement of human subjects in research is a basic feature of a wide range of academic disciplines, including research conducted within the bio-medical sciences, social/behavioral sciences, education, and the humanities.  The aim of this one credit course is to explore the responsibilities, commitments and obligations of the researcher who engages in research with human subjects.  We will:

• Explore the history of human subjects’ research;
• Address policies and regulations of the federal government, university, and selected professional associations;
• Discuss the practices in place to protect human subjects; and
• Identify contemporary issues in the inclusion of human subjects in research. 

 3.  Special Topics in the Responsible Conduct of Research: Research Involving Animals SGS 590C – Offered the third 5 weeks of the fall 2005 semester; Wednesdays, 4:00 – 6:45

 The use of animals in research is characteristic of many academic disciplines, including but not limited to medicine, biological sciences, nursing, psychology, and pharmacy.  The aim of this one credit course is to explore the responsibilities, commitments and obligations of the researcher who engages in research with laboratory animals.  We will:

• Explore the history of the involvement of animals in research;
• Address policies and regulations of the federal government, university, and selected professional associations; 
• Discuss the practices in place to protect animal subjects; and
•   Identify contemporary issues in research involving animals.

4.  Special Topics in the Responsible Conduct of Research: Threats to Research Integrity SGS 590D – Offered the third 5 weeks of the winter 2006 semester; Wednesdays, 4:00 – 6:45

1.  Conflict of Interest
2. Misconduct in Science/Honesty in Research

 The conduct of research requires that investigators maintain the trust, confidence and support of their peers, their funding sources, and the public at large. Failing to deal with conflicts of interest and scientific misconduct represent, perhaps, the greatest threat to this relationship of trust.  We will:

• Explore the institutional and broader social sources of conflicts of interest and scientific misconduct;
• Address policies and regulations of the federal government, university, and selected professional associations;
• Discuss the policies and practices in place to identify, eliminate, reduce and manage conflicts of interest; and
• Discuss the policies and practices in place to identify, prevent, and respond to scientific misconduct.  

5. Special Topics in the Responsible Conduct of Research: Conducting Research SGS 590E – Offered the third 5 weeks of the winter 2006 semester; Wednesdays, 4:00 – 6:45

3. Data acquisition, managmetn, sharing and ownership
4. Mentor/trainee responsibilities
5.   Collaborative science
6.   Management of Research Funds

 The initiation of a research project is marked by the emergence of a host of challenges, including but not limited to issues related to:

• The proper handling of the data;
• The mentoring of research staff and trainees;
• The collaboration of scientists; and
• The proper management of research funds.

6. Special Topics in the Responsible Conduct of Research: Reporting/Reviewing Research SGS 590F – Offered the third 5 weeks of the winter 2006 semester; Wednesdays, 4:00 – 6:45

7.  Authorship
8. Peer Review

The culture of science involves the sharing of research with one’s peers and the public at large.  The scientist, therefore, is routinely involved in the process of communicating and reviewing research results.  We will:

• Examine the responsibilities of sharing research results and determining appropriate authorship; and
• Examine the responsibilities that accompany the reviewing of research results for publication, funding and other purposes.