Survey Shows Universities Should Step Up Misconduct Training and Reporting

Research misconduct is occurring to a far greater extent than reporting to authorities would indicate, and actions must be taken to close this gap as well as reduce the incidence of misconduct, according to an article in Nature. The article, six years in the making, presents the findings on 2,212 scientists with National Institutes of Health funding who responded to a survey the Office of Research Integrity developed.

“According to our respondents, 58% of the observed incidents had been reported to officials at their institutions. In 24% of incidents it was the survey respondent who reported it and in 33% of the incidents it was someone other than the respondent. Responses indicated that 37% of incidents were not reported by anyone and for 5% of the cases respondents did not know [if reporting occurred],” the authors wrote in the Nature article.

“These numbers indicate a sizeable disconnect between what universities are seeing and the 24 investigations evaluated by the ORI annually,” the authors wrote. (From the "Report on Research Compliance; http://www.reportonresearchcompliance.com)

Thousands complete CITI Courses in 2008

Since July 1st, 2006, when Missouri State University adopted the Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) training), over 2,072 persons (86 persons per month) comprising faculty, staff, and students, have completed the training. This amount is divided between 282 persons for Biomedical Research and over 1790 persons for Social and Behavioral Research.

The University shifted to CITI so as to provide faculty, staff and students engaged in research, access to training materials comprising Biomedical and Social and Behavioral that involve human subjects. These resources would necessitate approval of a research project by the IRB requiring all investigators to complete the CITI Basic Course and take a refresher course every three years.

All personnel listed on an IRB Application, who do not have valid proof of a current Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) education WILL NOT BE SENT A  CONFIRMATION LETTER advising of IRB approval. The PI will be contacted so as to ensure compliance of the training requirements for human subjects protection.

Foundation Center website:  Now Available!!!

The Office of Sponsored Research and Programs (OSRP) is now offering to faculty/staff, the ability to find grant funding opportunities through the Foundation Center website. See more information.

Policy on U.S. Export Control Laws:

Certain types of University research may fall under Federal Government Export Controls (EC) regulations that prohibit unlicensed export of specific information and technologies, require prior approval for foreign nationals to access information, technologies and materials, and participate in research, limit partnering with a foreign company, and/or prohibit sharing research with persons who are not U.S. citizens. Export controls may affect many aspects of research because the term “export” covers not only the shipment of information or materials to another country but also the release or disclosure of information or materials to foreign nationals on U.S. soil (“deemed export”). These restrictions are imposed on shipments abroad, as well as access to University research by foreign nationals. Therefore, the term "export" in these regulations has a very expansive meaning (See basic concepts and laws).

Occupational Health and Safety Program:

In accordance with federal regulations and the University policy, all covered persons are required to enroll in the Occupational Health and Safety Program (“OHSP”) or provide certification that they are participants in a similar program at their home institutions.   Covered persons include faculty, staff and students, and bona fide volunteers who will be working with or have a reasonable expectation of exposure to animal tissues, fluids, secretions and/or excretions (collectively referred to as “exposure to animals”) while involved in research and/or education projects at on or off-campus locations..  Enrollment and participation in the OHSP is for all persons involved in research and education of animals. (See further information).

Use of Biohazardous Substances:

The goal of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is to minimize the risks of injury and illness and help ensure containment for activities using potentially biohazardous materials and recombinant DNA.   Biosafety is a cooperative effort of the IBC, the investigators, and laboratory staff. The IBC reviews proposed research involving recombinant DNA techniques and other biohazards (i.e., infectious or venomous agents); consults with researchers on biosafety procedures; trains faculty, staff, and students involved in biohazardous research to obtain compliance with appropriate rules; maintains liaison with biosafety personnel at state and federal agencies, industries, and other universities; and does surveillance of laboratory accidents involving biohazardous agents. The IBC also reports to National Institutes of Health (NIH) significant (recalcitrant) violations of or problems with NIH guidelines and significant research-related accidents or illnesses. (See further information).

Human Subjects web-based training:

After reviewing other training programs available online, the University has contracted with the University of Miami for use of the Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) program for Human Subjects research. The CITI program is being used by approximately 165 higher education institutions and research organizations throughout the U.S. There are 22 modules in the Basic CITI course. Each module covers a specific aspect of human subjects research, e.g., History and Ethical Principles, Informed Consent, and Research with Children. Of the 22, the Missouri State’s Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects has selected 16 to be required for researchers who are conducting social and behavioral research and 17 for those who are conducting biomedical research.
Note:  Those who met Missouri State University’s Human Subjects Education requirement prior to July 1, 2006, via use of the NIH training are not required to complete the basic CITI program, but to take the refresher courses.
(See further information).