At CTSI, we lead with integrity and distinction in all our endeavors. Excellence requires continuous improvement, accountability, and the courage to recognize that there is always more we can do to deliver the highest quality performance. CTSI embodies excellence in many ways, and today we will showcase just one resource offered to our researchers.
CTSI in collaboration with UF Research developed a Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Summer Seminar Series. This was an initiative when COVID shut down the campus labs, and instead of being idle, it was a great opportunity to offer a variety of RCR topics, remotely.  The RCR Series showcases the UF Core values by taking a proactive approach to training researchers to understand questionable research practices and to reach out to UFs research integrity officer (RIO) before it happens. Topics in the Series include mentoring, collaborative research, research misconduct, safe research environments, data management, to name a few. The Series meets the federal funding requirements of the NIH, NSF, and USDA RCR training requirements. The goal of campus wide training is to foster a culture of research integrity at the institutional level; in other words, it’s everyone’s responsibility.
The 2022 RCR Seminar Series was partially funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Research Integrity.  Led by Michelle Leonard, UF Research, the grant team comprises people across the UF Campus including UF Research, CTSI, the Center for Undergraduate Research, Creative Works, and a group of volunteer research ambassadors. This grant enhanced 4 programs to foster a culture of responsible conduct of research for the entire campus community:  the RCR summer seminar series, the RIO Video, an undergraduate training modules, and the production of a podcast.
Below you can find more information on the individual components developed through this partnership:
RCR Summer Seminar Series
This seminar series is designed to help foster a culture of integrity at UF and beyond.
By participating in this seminar series, participants will gain an understanding of the responsible conduct of research and an overview of the UF research enterprise. Participants may enroll in one class, the whole series, or any set of classes in any combination. All classes are discussion based with active learning components to maximize participant involvement. If the participant completes the full seminar series they will receive a certificate indicating that the training satisfies the NIH, NSF, and USDA RCR training requirements.
Research Misconduct & The Role of the Research Integrity Officer Video
Integrity in scholarship and research is fundamental to the University of Florida’s mission of excellence in education, research, and service. Learn how to avoid possible misconduct by consulting with UF’s Research Integrity Officer (RIO).
This video showcases UF’s proactive approach to understand questionable research practices and the importance of reaching out to UFs research integrity officer (RIO) before it happens.
RCR Modules for Undergraduates
This course focuses on the fundamentals of responsible conduct of research (RCR) that directly relates to the experience of undergraduate researchers in all disciplines.
In partnership with Michelle Leonard at UF Research, the Center for Undergraduate Research developed an 8-module course as an introduction to RCR for undergraduate researchers at the University of Florida.  This course focuses on the fundamentals of responsible conduct of research (RCR) that directly relates to the experience of undergraduate researchers in all disciplines. Topics covered in the course include research ethics, recognizing plagiarism, falsification of data, fabrication of data, understanding responsible authorship, choosing a mentor/advisor, and establishing better data management planning. Other topics of RCR being discussed in the course are collaborative research and protection of human/animal subjects.
The Research Roundtable
A podcast devoted to creating a culture of responsible conduct of research and research integrity at the University of Florida.
Produced by UF Creative Works, and a team of people across the UF Campus including UF Research, CTSI, the Center for Undergraduate Research, and a group of volunteer UF research ambassadors. This podcast was made possible by a grant from the Dept. of Health & Human Services, Office of Research Integrity.