Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

Research Compliance provides regulatory and policy oversight to the university.  Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training is essential to maintaining a climate of integrity and ethical research.

For more information on conducting and supervising an ethical research program, please see the Resources section below.

Formal RCR training is required for all Principal Investigators, Co-Principal Investigators, postdoctoral scholars, and students (graduate and undergraduate) supported by funding from the following sources:

  • National Science Foundation (NSF)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • United States Department of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA)

San Jose State University uses the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) to address this training requirement.  To access the RCR courses:

  1. Visit the CITI website.
  2. Create a CITI account using your SJSU email address.
  3. Log in and select “San Jose State University Courses.”
  4. Click on “Add a Course or Update Learner Groups.”
  5. Select the course under question #5 that most closely matches your discipline.

Some student training programs may have additional in-person RCR training requirements.  Please check with your SJSU program director to determine whether you will need to enroll in additional RCR coursework.

Resources

Making the Right Moves:  A Practical Guide to Scientific Management for Postdocs and New Faculty, Second Edition (HHMI)

Entering Mentoring:  A Seminar to Train a New Generation of Scientists [pdf]

On Being a Scientist (National Academy of Sciences)