Georgia Southern University is committed to fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and ethical responsibility in all research activities. The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) program ensures that faculty, staff, and students conducting sponsored projects or scholarly work meet federal, state, and institutional standards.
By completing RCR training and using available tools and resources, researchers gain the knowledge and skills needed to conduct high-quality, ethical research while safeguarding participants, data, and the broader academic community.
What the RCR Program Covers
The RCR program supports researchers through training, compliance guidance, and access to research integrity resources. Areas of focus include:
- Research integrity and ethics – ensuring transparency and accountability in all stages of research.
- Data access and security – following policies for handling sensitive or restricted datasets.
- Plagiarism prevention – using originality-checking software to maintain scholarly standards.
- Research misconduct prevention – establishing clear procedures for reporting and addressing violations.
- Mentorship and professional development – supporting faculty in training and guiding students.
RCR Resources at Georgia Southern
Explore the following resources to meet training requirements and strengthen your research practices:
- All of Us Data Access – Information on Georgia Southern’s partnership with the NIH All of Us Research Program, including data tiers, registration, and security protocols.
- iThenticate – Originality-checking software used by faculty researchers and thesis/dissertation advisors to screen manuscripts prior to publication.
- Research Misconduct – University policy and procedures for addressing allegations of scholarly misconduct.
- Responsible Conduct Training – Required CITI Program training for faculty, staff, and students supported by NSF, NIH, USDA-NIFA, or NASA awards.
Commitment to Research Excellence
By completing RCR training and utilizing institutional resources, Georgia Southern researchers uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. These efforts ensure compliance with federal regulations, support external funding requirements, and promote a strong foundation for responsible and innovative scholarship.
For more information, contact the Office of Research Integrity at irb@georgiasouthern.edu or call 912-478-5465.