Office of Research Services (ORS)

Responsible Conduct of Research Resources

 

Dalhousie University is pleased to provide Dalhousie students, faculty, and staff with access to the CITI Program Canada, an online training program with courses available on:

  • Good Clinical Practices (GCP) Basic and Refresher
  • Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Life Sciences
  • Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Physical Sciences
  • Biomedical Research Ethics Tutorial
  • Transportation of Dangerous Goods-TDG-IATA
  • Social Behavioral Research Course
  • Health Canada Division 5 – Drugs for Clinical Trials Involving Human Subjects (available in English and French)

An additional RCR course with a focus on the Social Sciences and Humanities is expected to launch soon.

To register for any of these courses visit the CITI Program website. Select Dalhousie University as the Organization Affiliation to get full access to hours of engaging videos, case studies, quizzes and additional resources. Courses can be completed based on your role as an Undergraduate or Graduate student, Post-Doc, Faculty, Research Staff, or Other. A step-by-step first time registration guide is available here. It is recommended that courses be completed to provide basic knowledge before received supplementary training through workshops, classes or group discussions. Participants who successfully complete courses receive certification valid for four years.

GENERAL RESOURCES

Tri-Agency Framework on the Responsible Conduct of Research  
The Framework outlines the responsibilities and policies that promote a positive research environment, and sets out the process for addressing allegations of breaches.

Tri-Agency Framework on RCR Webinar
This hour-long video is hosted by the Secretariat on the Responsible Conduct of Research and introduces the main elements of the Framework, including the responsibilities of researchers, institutions, and the Agencies.

CITI Program Canada 
These online courses provide interactive training on RCR using discipline-specific contexts and examples. Please visit the above link to register.

TCPS 2 Course on Research Ethics (CORE) Tutorial  
This is a recommended resource to those conducting research with human subjects or data regardless of discipline or methodology. This interactive online tutorial that provides guidance in TCPS 2 with a certificate for those who successfully complete the training.

The Fundamentals of OCAP®
Researchers who propose to work with First Nations are strongly encouraged to complete the online training, The Fundamentals of OCAP®. This self-guided course takes learners through seven modules that are designed to introduce the fundamental concepts of OCAP®, information governance, and First Nations data sovereignty.

 

UNDERGRADUATE

CITI Program Canada
These online courses provide interactive training on RCR using discipline-specific contexts and examples. Visit the link above to register.

PREP 
The Professional and Research Education Program (PREP) helps prepare students and faculty to succeed in their research careers. PREP offers a dedicated in-person session on RCR that is relevant to all disciplines. Students earn a special notation on their transcript for completing seven PREP sessions. Contact prep@dal.ca for more information. 

The Lab and The Research Clinic Interactive Videos
 The Office of Research Integrity at the US Department of Health and Human Services has created an interactive training video called “The Lab: Avoiding Research Misconduct”. The viewer becomes the lead character—a post-doc, graduate student, principal investigator, or research administrator—and makes decisions about research integrity with lasting consequences in this choose-your-own-adventure in RCR. “The Research Clinic” video covers a similar storyline in that setting.

 

GRADUATE AND POST-DOC

CITI Program Canada
These online courses provide interactive training on RCR using discipline-specific contexts and examples. Visit the above link to register.

PREP 
The Professional and Research Education Program (PREP) helps prepare students and faculty to succeed in their research careers. PREP offers a dedicated in-person session on RCR that is relevant to all disciplines. Students earn a special notation on their transcript for completing seven PREP sessions. Contact prep@dal.ca for more information.

The Lab and The Research Clinic Interactive Videos 
The Office of Research Integrity at the US Department of Health and Human Services has created an interactive training video called “The Lab: Avoiding Research Misconduct”. The viewer becomes the lead character—a post-doc, graduate student, principal investigator, or research administrator—and makes decisions about research integrity with lasting consequences in this choose-your-own-adventure in RCR. “The Research Clinic” video covers a similar storyline in that setting.

Columbia University Course
Columbia University provides free online course on RCR topics with foundational texts, videos, case studies and additional resources. Module 3 on Responsible Authorship and Peer Review, as well as Module 6 on Data Acquisition and Management may be of particular interest to graduate students and post-docs. 

 

INVESTIGATORS

CITI Program Canada
These online courses provide interactive training on RCR using discipline-specific contexts and examples. Visit the above link to register.

LibGuides 
Dalhousie University Libraries have created helpful online LibGuides on particular topics, such as Open Access. LibGuides provide helpful information on the Tri-Agency Publication Policy, Self-Archiving, and Predatory Journals with links to articles on tips and best practices. Dalhousie University Libraries also host an annual Research Bootcamp for Research and Teaching Assistants, as well as Graduate Students.

The Dilemma Game: Professionalism and Integrity in Research
The Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam has produced a free and engaging resource called the Dilemma Game: Professionalism and Integrity in Research. It features 75 scenarios on printable cards with four possible multiple choice courses of action. This tool is well-suited for facilitating group discussion in the classroom or lab.

 

SUPERVISORS

Columbia University Course on Mentoring 
Columbia University provides free online course on RCR topics with foundational texts, videos, case studies and additional resources. The module on mentoring may be helpful to supervisors.

The Role of the Supervisor in Research Ethics
Developed by Research Ethics, this document outlines supervisors’ responsibilities when they have students applying for REB approval. 

Infographics from the US Office of Research Integrity
The US Office of Research Integrity has created a series of printable infographics on RCR, including one entitled “5 Ways Supervisors Can Promote Research Integrity”, that can be posted and used to help educate others and increase awareness on RCR topics.

 

INTERNATIONAL FUNDING

If applying for US federal or other international funding, there are additional RCR requirements. Please contact Erin Murphy (Erin.Murphy@dal.ca), Facilitator of Institutional and International Programs, for more information.