Sci Eng Ethics. 2017 Mar 9. doi: 10.1007/s11948-017-9897-z. [Epub ahead of print]

Mentoring for Responsible Research: The Creation of a Curriculum for Faculty to Teach RCR in the Research Environment.

Plemmons DK1, Kalichman MW2.

Author information

1

Research Ethics Education Program, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, 133 University Office Building, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA. dena.plemmons@ucr.edu.

2

Research Ethics Program, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., MC 0612, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0612, USA.

Abstract

Despite more than 25 years of a requirement for training in the responsible conduct of research (RCR), there is still little consensus about what such training should include, how it should be delivered, nor what constitutes "effectiveness" of such training. This lack of consensus on content, approaches and outcomes is evident in recent data showing high variability in the development and implementation of RCR instruction across universities and programs. If we accept that one of the primary aims of instruction in RCR/research ethics is "to foster a community of social responsibility" (Antes et al. 2009: 398), then it makes sense to consider the research environment itself-where learning one's science happens where one also engages in social interaction around that science. In order to take the best advantage of that already existing/naturally occurring research environment, the authors, through a deliberative, collaborative, and integrative process, crafted a workshop curriculum meant to arm research faculty with concrete and specific tools to effectively introduce research ethics in the context of the research environment.