Training

In support of scientifically sound and ethical conduct of research, and to meet regulatory and accreditation requirements, Research Integrity requires training in human research and funding-specific responsible conduct of research, when applicable. All persons involved in the design, implementation, review, and oversight of human research conducted or supported by the University must complete and maintain the required training to fulfill their obligations to conduct ethical and scientifically-sound research; and to adequately protect human participants (see the Research Integrity policy manual for training requirements or follow the links below for specific information).

Training will help researchers and others involved in human research

• Understand the relevant issues at play in human research
• Formulate studies with the intent of upholding the social contract with research participants and with the perspective of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in mind

Anyone working on a study involving human participants is required by the University to complete Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI).

Waivers or Alterations for Researcher Training Requirements

On a case-by-case basis, the Director of Research Integrity may waive or alter training requirements for researchers.

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)

See below for more details on how to enroll. All researchers are required to complete Human Research training. This training is required for all study personnel and must be taken at least every four years. A passing score is 80%.

NOTE: Veterans Affairs (VA) researchers must comply with VA training requirements. For information, see the VA human research page of the Research Integrity website.

For non-clinical researcher appointments

CITI Group 1: Social Behavioral Research Investigators and Key Personnel Group

For clinical researcher appointments

CITI Group 2: Biomedical Research Investigators and Key Personnel Group

Instructions for Human Research (Basic Course) CITI Training for Research Study Team

Note: The Basic Course meets the University IRB requirements for human research. However, there may be additional requirements such as Conflict of Interest (COI) Basic training or Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) training depending on research funding source and other factors.

You may start and stop the modules as many times as needed, log out and back in as time permits, it will pick up where you left off.

New CITI User

1. Go to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative login page.
2. Register as a new user.
3. Affiliate with the University of Nevada, Reno.
4. When you get to the options for which training you would like to take, scroll down to Question 1: Human Subjects Research choose either Group 1 or Group 2, whichever most closely matches your discipline. This page also shows additional training options that may be required depending on your research; select the trainings relevant to you.
5. The View Courses page for the University of Nevada, Reno will show new, incomplete, and completed courses.

Existing CITI User

1. Go to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative login page.
2. Log in using your registered CITI username and password.
3. Ensure that your account is affiliated with the University of Nevada, Reno. If not, click the Add Affiliation button and search for University of Nevada, Reno, then choose your course(s).
4. If you are already affiliated with University of Nevada, Reno, click View Courses then scroll down to click on: "Add a Course" to select the necessary course(s).
5. When you get to the options for which training you would like to take, scroll down to Question 1: Human Subjects Research choose either Group 1 or Group 2, whichever most closely matches your discipline. This page also shows additional training options that may be required depending on your research; select the trainings relevant to you.

The View Courses page for the University of Nevada, Reno will show new, incomplete, and completed courses.

The responsible conduct of research (RCR) is critical for excellence in research, as well as maintaining public trust. RCR involves not only the responsibility to generate and disseminate knowledge with rigor and integrity, but also includes the responsibility to:

1. conduct peer review with the highest ethical standards
2. diligently protect proprietary information and intellectual property from inappropriate disclosure; and
3. treat students and colleagues fairly and with respect

Consequently, education in the responsible conduct of research is considered essential to the preparation and long-term professional development of researchers at all career stages.

National Science Foundation

The NSF requires that all research personnel supported by the NSF complete RCR training.  To satisfy this requirement, the University requires undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, research staff, principal investigators and senior/key personnel supported by NSF grants and contracts to complete the CITI online course in RCR. PIs are responsible for ensuring that all members of their research team complete the required training.

U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture (USDA)

Research institutions conducting extramural research funded by the USDA must foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity. To satisfy this requirement, the University requires undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, research staff, principal investigators and senior/key personnel supported by USDA grants and contracts to complete the CITI online course in RCR. PIs are responsible for ensuring that all members of their research team complete the required training.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The NIH requires that all trainees, fellows, participants, and scholars receiving support through any NIH training, career development award (individual or institutional), research education grant, or dissertation research grant receive instruction in responsible conduct of research. NIH has published different requirements for institutional applications and individual applications. Grant applications must include an RCR training section and PIs are responsible for ensuring completion of the proposed training program. The University recommends that all persons complete the CITI online course in RCR as part of the NIH training program; however, online training alone will not fulfill the NIH RCR training requirement.

CITI RCR Training

CITI offers online RCR courses targeted at specific disciplines. Researchers may select the course most relevant to their field. Once completed, CITI RCR training does not need to be renewed.

Instructions for accessing RCR courses in CITI (link to separate page with CITI RCR instructions)

See instructions for accessing RCR courses in CITI.

Need more information?

If you have questions or would like more information about RCR training, please contact the Research Integrity Office at (775) 327-2368 or Michele Dondanville, interim director of Research Integrity at mdondanville@unr.edu.

Investigators working on projects funded by the Public Health Service (e.g., NIH, CDC, SAMHSA, FDA, HRSA, IHS, etc.), agencies that have adopted PHS requirements, and the Department of Energy are required to complete conflict of interest (COI) training prior to the expenditure of funds on the award and at least every four years thereafter.

For this purpose, the definition of “Investigator” includes the Principal Investigator and any other person, regardless of title or position, who is responsible for the purpose, design, conduct or reporting of the project. In some instances, the definition may be expanded to include anyone who participates in the purpose, design, conduct or reporting of the project.

Additionally, all persons included in a COI Management Plan must complete COI training.

To meet this training requirement, the University of Nevada, Reno utilizes the online “Conflict of Interest” course through CITI Program. This course includes four modules, all of which must be completed. Although some of the modules are geared toward PHS researchers, they include helpful information that is applicable to all conflict of interest situations.

Sponsored Projects will not complete the set-up of an award until all required persons have completed their COI training. If you have questions, please contact Michele Dondanville at mdondanville@unr.edu.

Research Integrity director and staff

• Ethical Research Oversight Course offered on the PRIM&R website. Does not expire.
• New personnel will also complete an in-office human research protection training “boot camp” as determined by the Research Integrity director. Training will be customized to reflect the knowledge and experience of the individual employee and may include review/discussion of applicable federal regulations, Research Integrity (IRB) Policy Manual, the OHRP Guidebook, guidance documents, and any other materials identified by the Research Integrity director. New personnel will also attend PRIM&R IRB 101 as funding allows.

IRB Members

• Ethical Research Oversight Course offered on the PRIM&R website. Does not expire.
• Additional training is offered at each IRB meeting; if not in attendance, self-study of attached power point slides in IRBNet agenda documents is expected.
• Orientation is required for new IRB members before they may participate as voting members of an IRB.

All protocols must be submitted through IRBNet.  View  step-by-step guides to setting-up and navigating IRBNet