Core Instructional Areas for the Responsible Conduct of Research

(from Ingham)

see also: Feature | Case Studies | References | Further Discussion & Resources

Ethics and morality

The philosophic background, including moral development theory, required to support ethical decision-making and moral reasoning skills. 

Research misconduct

The meaning of research misconduct and the regulations, policies, and guidelines that govern research misconduct in PHS-funded institutions. Includes topics such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism; error vs. intentional misconduct; institutional misconduct policies; identifying misconduct; procedures for reporting misconduct; protection of whistleblowers; and outcomes of investigations, including institutional and federal actions. 

Human subjects protections

Issues important in conducting research involving human subjects. Includes topics such as the definition of human subjects research, ethical principles for conducting human subjects research, informed consent, confidentiality and privacy of data and patient records, risks and benefits, preparation of a research protocol, institutional review boards, adherence to study protocol, proper conduct of the study, and gender, minority, and children's research issues. 

Publication practices and responsible authorship

The purpose and importance of scientific publication, and the responsibilities of the authors. Includes topics such as collaborative work and assigning appropriate credit, acknowledgments, appropriate citations, repetitive publications, fragmentary publication, sufficient description of methods, corrections and retractions, conventions for deciding upon authors, authors responsibilities, and the pressure to publish. 

Peer review

The purpose of peer review in determining merit for research funding and publications. Includes topics such as the definition of peer review, impartiality, how peer review works, editorial boards and ad hoc reviewers, responsibilities of the reviewers, privileged information, and confidentiality. 

Mentor/trainee relationships

The responsibilities of mentors and trainees in predoctoral and postdoctoral research programs. Includes the role of a mentor, responsibilities of a mentor, conflicts between mentor and trainee, collaboration and competition, selection of a mentor, and abusing the mentor/trainee relationship. 

Conflict of interest and commitment

The definition of conflicts of interest and how to handle conflicts of interest. Types of conflicts encountered by researchers and institutions. Includes topics such as conflicts associated with collaborators, publication, financial conflicts, obligations to other constituencies, and other types of conflicts. 

Data acquisition, management, sharing, and ownership

Accepted practices for acquiring and maintaining research data. Proper methods for record keeping and electronic data collection and storage in scientific research. Includes defining what constitutes data; keeping data notebooks; data selection, retention, sharing, ownership, and analysis; and data as legal documents and intellectual property, including copyright laws. 

Collaborative science

Research collaborations and issues that may arise from such collaborations. Includes topics such as setting ground rules early in the collaboration, avoiding authorship disputes, and the sharing of materials and information with internal and external collaborating scientists. 

Animal subjects protection

Issues important to conducting research involving animals. Includes topics such as definition of research involving animals, ethical principles for conducting research on animals, federal regulations governing animal research, institutional animal care and use of committees, and treatment of animals. 

Guidelines and regulations

Identification and understanding of existing federal and local policies, methods of compliance, and consequences for not complying.