Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship

In support of the University Mission and in accordance with federal regulations effective January 2010, Loyola University Chicago has implemented a new Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship program that incorporates ethics education into the curriculum for all students.

• Program Description

  The Associate Provost for Research has established a Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship (RCRS) program on the LUC Lakeside Campuses to foster a culture of ethical conduct, consistent with the LUC Mission Statement:

  “We promote the use of ethical principles in personal decision-making and professional behavior.”

  The RCRS program comprises three components. First, the program includes a no-credit course that is required for all faculty and students engaged in research involving NSF and NIH funding, when mandated by the terms of the grant. Other federal agencies may also include RCRS requirements in their award announcements. In addition to providing a basic foundation for every course participant, the program will partner with individual departments throughout the University to sponsor and promote presentations, seminars, and workshops that cater to faculty, staff, and students. Individual faculty who wish to incorporate core components of the RCRS program into their course syllabi are welcome to work with ORS in doing so. Second, ORS will sponsor an “Ethics Series” throughout the academic year. The intent here is to cover ethical issues and standards related directly to specific disciplines. Third, an online website will serve as a resource for faculty, staff, students and other members of the Loyola and will feature key components of research integrity and ethics as well as important links to relevant agencies and institutions involved with RCR. Loyola RCRS program includes instruction in core areas recommended by the Office of Research Integrity and scientific societies. These include:

  • Research Misconduct
  • Conflicts of Interest and Commitment
  • Data Management Practices: data ownership, collection, protection and sharing
  • Mentor and Trainee responsibilities
  • Collaborative Research
  • Responsible authorship and publication practices
  • Peer review
  • The Protection of Human Subjects
  • The Welfare of Laboratory Animals

  Consistent with its mission and core values, Loyola also offers additional RCRS instruction on research ethics and teaching ethics.

• Goals of the RCRS Program
  • Promote a culture of responsible conduct and ethical behaviors.
  • Demonstrate LUC’s commitment to the responsible conduct of research and scholarship
  • Inform the Loyola community about University Policy [see below] regarding the Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship.
  • Increase LUC faculty, student, and staff awareness of professional standards and codes of responsible conduct related to sponsored research.
  • Ensure that graduates from Loyola are well equipped in core areas of research integrity and ethics to enter their respective professional fields.
  • Proactively minimize the potential for scholarly and research misconduct incidents at LUC by ensuring faculty and students are aware of ethical and professional research standards/norms.
  • Contribute to the professional development of ethical reasoning and ethical maturity of the LUC community.
• RCRS Policy

  Loyola University Chicago is committed to ensuring that all its faculty and students have the opportunity to be properly trained in the ethical and responsible conduct of research and scholarly integrity and are held to the highest possible ethical standards. In order to ensure each faculty and student at Loyola has the basic foundation needed to learn and apply the ethical standards of their discipline/profession, he or she is encouraged to complete or register for the no-credit Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship course (UNIV 370) prior to involvement in funded research activity involving the NSF, NIH, or any other federal agency requiring training. Beginning Fall 2011, the Graduate School is requiring RCRS training for all matriculating PhD students and master’s students enrolled in thesis-oriented programs. Graduate Program Directors in non-thesis master’s programs may recommend RCRS training for their students. In addition, any faculty member who is required by a granting agency to receive Responsible Conduct in Research training will be required to receive this training. Faculty members involved in formal research (including a research project funded or supported by an internal grant) are strongly encouraged to receive RCRS training.

  Students in programs taught at the Loyola University Health System who would otherwise be affected by this policy are welcome to take the equivalent course in Bioethics (BMSC 405), taught by the faculty of the Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy in place of the UNIV 370 requirement.

  Visiting students (defined as students that are not enrolled in a Loyola University Chicago degree or certificate program) and students in programs that do not require them to be “on-campus” at any point (“Online” degree or certificate programs) can satisfy the RCRS training requirement by completing the online RCR CITI program. Completion of this program should be done prior to the student’s involvement in formal research activity and the RCRS CITI Program completion certificate should be on file with the Loyola University Chicago Office of Research Services. Please forward copies of CITI training records to Andrew Ellis at aellis5@luc.edu.

  Students are encouraged to complete this course early in their academic program. Students are highly encouraged to attend and participate in the Ethics Series programming held throughout the year.

  For purposes of applying this policy, research means a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities which meet this definition constitute research for purposes of this policy, whether or not they are conducted or supported under a program which is considered research for other purposes. For example, some demonstration and service programs may include research activities. Typically, thesis and dissertation projects required by an academic program to receive a degree are considered research activities.

• UCRS Course (UNIV 370)

  Course Description
  Loyola University Chicago actively promotes a culture of responsible and ethical behaviors among all people associated with the University. This includes the LUC faculty, staff, and students of all levels. This course provides students with a strong foundation of basic ethical principles and professional standards that serve as a basis for academic and professional development. Topics include Core Instructional Areas (http://ori.dhhs.gov/education/rcr_resources.shtml) identified by the Office of Research Integrity critical to research activities as well as those of value to scholars here at LUC.

  Taught over a two or three day period, students will be presented with relevant information and background material on research integrity and ethics, and given the opportunity to apply these ethical principles in a small group setting.

  NOTE: This course satisfies the LUC policy requirements for students that are enrolled in graduate programs, undergraduate students that are involved in research activities, and faculty and staff that receive funds from external agencies that require evidence of ethics training.

  Course Objectives
  Following completion of this course, participants are expected to:

  • Understand LUC’s commitment to and compliance with the responsible conduct of research.
  • Understand and be able to apply the University’s Policies regarding the Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship.
  • Have increased understanding of professional standards relating to research conducted by faculty, students, and staff.
  • Be equipped to enter their respective professional fields with a sound understanding of ethical and professional research standards/norms.
  • Contribute to the development of ethical reasoning and ethical maturity of the LUC community.
  • Promote a culture of responsible conduct and ethical behaviors both on campus and around the world.
• Registration

  To register, please use the LOCUS online program (https://locus.luc.edu). If you have any questions, please contact Andrew Ellis at aellis5@luc.edu.

• Syllabus

  Syllabus (Subject to Change)

  1. Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship
  2. Overview of Ethics in Research
  3. Data
     1. Acquisition
     2. Management
     3. Sharing
     4. Ownership
  4. Conflict of Interest and Commitment
  5. Research Misconduct
  6. Publication Practices and Responsible Authorship
     1. Standards for Academic Publications
     2. Academic integrity policy, see graduate school
  7. Introduction to Ethics in “Teaching”
  8. Responsibilities
     1. Mentor (Teacher)
     2. Trainee (Student)
  9. Peer Review
  10. Collaborative Science
  11. Research with Human Subjects
  12. Animal Welfare
      1. In Educational Settings
      2. In Research
  13. Dealing with Questionable Practices
      1. Address Problems
      2. Report Concerns
  14. Recent Issues/Hot Topics/Current Events
  15. Question & Answer
• LUC Ethics Series

  LUC is fortunate to have a faculty known for its high ethical standards and expertise, capable of teaching a variety of topics and subtopics in the field of ethics to students. The purpose of the Ethics Series is to increase the number of opportunities for faculty and students to learn about and engage in discourse about contemporary ethical issues and debates related to their fields of study. One of the best ways to provide these opportunities is through a partnership involving the Associate Provost for Research , LUC’s Centers of Excellence, and individual academic units that host ethics-based presentations, seminars, and debates. The Associate Provost for Research will provide funding opportunities to academic units interested in partnering to bring nationally known speakers, experts, and educators to the Loyola campus to support this program. Please let Andrew Ellis know if you have suggestions or would like to host an ethics talk/program/lecture/debate/etc.

• Additional Resources
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • NIH Update on the Requirement for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research
  • National Science Foundation (NSF)
  • NSF's Responsible Conduct of Research Statement
  • NSF's Frequently Asked Questions
  • Office of Research Integrity
  • Online Research Ethics Course developed through the Practical Ethics Center at the University of Montana with Office of Research Integrity (ORI)

For answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) refer to http://www.luc.edu/ors/pdfs/Research/RCRS-FAQ.pdf.