Research Integrity

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Research Integrity

The Graduate School has developed minimum education requirements for all graduate students regarding the responsible and ethical conduct of research (RECR). 

RECR training is a federal requirement for all graduate students and completion of the training must be tracked.
 

As a Spartan, I will strive to uphold values of the highest ethical standard. I will practice honesty in my work, foster honesty in my peers, and take pride in knowing that honor in ownership is worth more than grades. I will carry these values beyond my time as a student at Michigan State University, continuing the endeavor to build personal integrity in all that I do. - The Spartan Code of Honor Academic Pledge (https://ombud.msu.edu/resources-self-help/academic-integrity)

Impact on Funding

Several funding agencies require RECR education and documentation for graduate students financially supported by their grants (NSF, NIH, and USDA-NIFA).

There are differences in the required modes of delivery, topical content and frequency of the education or training, depending on the agency. The topics discussed in the education program should include: 

  • Research misconduct
  • Research ethics
  • Mentor/mentee responsibilities and relationships
  • Conflicts of interest (personal, professional, financial)
  • Authorship and plagiarism
  • Data management and record keeping
  • Collaborative research
  • Safe research environments
  • Human subjects and animal use
  • Laboratory safety
  • Peer review and confidentiality

The Graduate School’s RECR education program consists of two parts: 

  1. Basic or foundational education (years one and two, for all master's and Ph.D. students)
  2. Annual refresher education (years three and beyond, for Ph.D. students only).

Each department or college has developed a detailed RECR plan (found in your graduate handbook) including when and how to satisfy the discussion-based training hours. Graduate students should work closely with their department regarding RECR education requirements before seeking assistance from the Graduate School.

RECR Basic Education Program Requirements

Graduate Certificate-only students do not need to complete RECR education. Online graduate degree-seeking students must complete the RECR education requirements.

Education Program Overview

Documenting Completion of Requirements

  • CITI Modules and Graduate School Workshops: The university’s training tracking system, Ability, will automatically record completion.
  • Unit-led RECR Education: Students should work with their graduate program to document participation. 
  • Discussion Hours: Doctoral students must document discussion hours with their advisor by submitting them in the Campus Solutions system. 

See instructions for all of the above on the MSU Office of Research Regulatory Support’s RECR website.

CITI Instructions

To complete the basic and supplemental CITI modules, follow these steps: 

  1. Log-in to CITI using ONLY your MSU NetID and password once you are an active graduate student.
    1. Click on the “CITI (actual training modules)” button below, or
    2.  Go directly to the CITI Program website and click “log-in through my institution.
  2. For first-time MSU CITI users: Follow the 'Get Started' instructions from MSU’s Office of Research Regulatory Support (ORRS).
  3. Under “Courses Ready to Begin”, click “Start” next to “MSU Graduate School RCR Requirements.”
  4. Complete the 4 basic modules by the end of your first year.
  5. For Master’s plan A and doctoral students: complete 3 modules from the “Supplemental Modules” also listed on this page.
    1. Master’s: due before graduation
    2. Doctoral: due before completing comprehensive exams and advancing to candidacy
       
Ability (RECR Tracking System)CITI Training Modules

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