Fundamentals of Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Course

April 6, 2026 to April 29, 2026

This course consists of eight sessions; attendance at all eight sessions is expected.

The maximum number of registrants is 30 registrants 

Individual sessions are not available in this course format. If you are interested in attending only an individual topic, please reach out to [email protected] to request setting up a training session on that topic.

The Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI) Fundamentals of RCR course is open to all Houston Methodist faculty, staff, and trainees and is designed to promote the aims of scientific inquiry, foster a research environment that enables scientists to work together toward common goals, and promote public confidence in scientific knowledge and progress for the public good. This twelve-hour, in-person course meets (and in some cases, exceeds) essential requirements of federal funding agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and USDA-NIFA for multi-career stage training and education in the Responsible Conduct of Research. Attendance at all eight (8) sessions, including didactic lectures, case studies, participation in a faculty panel, and concluding with a scientists’ RCR pledge is required to receive a certificate of completion.  For further information visit NIH website at https://oir.nih.gov/sourcebook/ethical-conduct/responsible-conduct-research-training.

This Fundamentals of RCR Course is intended to meet federal requirements for training in Responsible Conduct of Research and to maintain an institutional culture of the highest integrity in all Houston Methodist research endeavors. The eight-session, in-person course promotes fundamental knowledge and practical skills for research in all disciplines, encourages open discussion with subject matter experts in these areas, and presents an opportunity to interact with experienced Houston Methodist faculty for real-world guidance. 

Sponsored by Houston Methodist Office of Research Integrity and open to Houston Methodist employees only.

For more information, contact us here.

SessionDayDateTimeSession Title / Topics
Session 1MondayApril 6, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMScientist as Responsible Member of Society; Introduction to RCR; Safe Lab Environments; Conflict of Interest (COI); Reporting
Session 2WednesdayApril 8, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMRigor and Reproducibility: Gold Standard
Session 3MondayApril 13, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMMentor/Mentee Relationships; Responsible Authorship; Peer Review
Session 4WednesdayApril 15, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMLaboratory Safety and Pre-Clinical Work: Protecting Laboratory Members and Animal Subjects
Session 5MondayApril 20, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMData Management and Security
Session 6WednesdayApril 22, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMInternational Collaborations: Export Control; Foreign Influence
Session 7MondayApril 27, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMResearch Integrity and Misconduct
Session 8WednesdayApril 29, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMInteractive Panel with Methodist Research Scientists

Target Audience

Open to all Houston Methodist faculty, staff, and trainees only 

Learning Objectives

  • Awareness: heighten awareness of participants to ethical considerations relevant to the conduct of research
  • Knowledge: inform participants of federal, state, and institutional policies, regulations, and procedures and the best ways to meet these requirements by designing research with ethical considerations in mind during all phases
  • Skills: provide participants with critical analysis and problem-solving skills for ethical decision-making 

 

Course summary
Course opens: 
01/01/2026
Course expires: 
04/30/2026
Event starts: 
04/06/2026 - 2:00pm CDT
Event ends: 
04/29/2026 - 3:30pm CDT
Add to calendar: 
SessionDayDateTimeSession Title / Topics
Session 1MondayApril 6, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMScientist as Responsible Member of Society; Introduction to RCR; Safe Lab Environments; Conflict of Interest (COI); Reporting
Session 2WednesdayApril 8, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMRigor and Reproducibility: Gold Standard
Session 3MondayApril 13, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMMentor/Mentee Relationships; Responsible Authorship; Peer Review
Session 4WednesdayApril 15, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMLaboratory Safety and Pre-Clinical Work: Protecting Laboratory Members and Animal Subjects
Session 5MondayApril 20, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMData Management and Security
Session 6WednesdayApril 22, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMInternational Collaborations: Export Control; Foreign Influence
Session 7MondayApril 27, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMResearch Integrity and Misconduct
Session 8WednesdayApril 29, 20262:00 PM – 3:30 PMInteractive Panel with Methodist Research Scientists

Location: B-462 Brown Auditorium

Houston Methodist Hospital
6565 Fannin Street
Brown Auditorium 462
Houston
United States

Houston Methodist is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Houston Methodist designates these live activities for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Houston Methodist designates these activities for 1.5 hours of education in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility.

Sponsored by Houston Methodist Office of Research Integrity and open to Houston Methodist employees only.

Please login or register to take this course.

For Houston Methodist Staff, Students, Physicians Only.

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