Nine areas of RCR
Data Acquisition, Management Sharing and Ownership
Data management practices are becoming increasingly complex and should be addressed before any data are collected by taking into consideration four important issues: ownership, collection, storage, and sharing. The integrity of data and, by implication, the usefulness of the research it supports, depends on careful attention to detail, from initial planning through final publication.
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Data Management Case Study: Who owns the data?
Conflict of Interest and Commitment
The complex and demanding nature of research today inevitably gives rise to competing obligations and interests. In three crucial areas, special steps are needed to assure that conflicts do not interfere with the responsible practice of research: financial gain, work commitments, and intellectual and personal matters.
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Conflicts of Interest Case Study: Weighing Interests
Human Subjects
The use of human subjects in research benefits society in many ways, from contributing to the development of new drugs and medical procedures to understanding how we think and act. Investigators who conduct research involving humans that is subject to regulation must comply with all relevant Federal regulations as well as any applicable state and local laws, regulations, and policies related to the protection of human subjects.
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The Protection of Human Subjects Case Study: A Difficult Assignment
Animal Welfare
The special needs of animals have evolved over time into policies for the appropriate care and use of all animals involved in research, research training, and biological testing activities. Researchers can meet their responsibilities by: knowing what activities are subject to regulation, understanding and following the rules for project approval, obtaining appropriate training, and accepting continuing responsibility for compliance through all stages of a project.
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Animal Welfare Case Study: Fish, Frogs, and Mice
Research Misconduct
The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Policy defines “research misconduct” as “fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results.” Although Federal policies technically apply to federally funded research, TCU applies Federal research misconduct policies to all research.
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Research Misconduct Cast Study: Career vs. Responsibility
Publication Practices and Responsible Authorship
Researchers share the results of their works with colleagues and the public in a variety of ways. Whether structured or informal, controlled or free ranging, responsible publication in research should ideally meet some minimum standards. All forms of publication should present: a full and fair description of the work undertaken, an accurate report of the results, and an honest and open assessment of the findings.
Authorship Publication Case Study: A Publication Dilemma
Mentor/Trainee Responsibilities
The mentor-trainee relationship is complex and brings into play potential conflicts. The essential elements of a productive mentor-trainee relationship are difficult to codify into rules or guidelines, leaving most of the decisions about responsible mentoring to the individuals involved. Common sense suggests that good mentoring should begin with: a clear understanding of mutual responsibilities, a commitment to maintain a productive and supportive research environment, proper supervision and review, and an understanding that the main purpose of the relationship is to prepare trainees to become successful researchers.
Mentor/Trainee Responsibilities Case Study: The Mentoring Review Committee
Peer Review
Peer review can make or break professional careers and directly influence public policy. The fate of entire research programs, health initiatives, or environmental and safety regulations can rest on peer assessment of proposed or completed research projects. For peer review to work, it must be: timely, thorough, constructive, free from personal bias, and respectful of the need for confidentiality.
Peer Review Case Study: Apparent Conflicts and Priorities
Collaborative Science
In collaborative projects, researchers assume some additional responsibilities stemming from collaborative relationships. These additional responsibilities arise from the added burdens of: the increasingly complex roles and relationships; common, but not necessarily identical, interests; management requirements; and cultural differences inherent in any large project but especially in collaborative projects.
