Researcher Training: What Do I Need to Do?
Consistent with its reputation for conducting world-changing research, Purdue has an obligation to train and educate researchers to conduct their research with integrity and to ensure safe and secure conditions for all engaged in the research process. Researcher training takes place both online and in-person.
The decision tree tool below was developed to assist Purdue researchers identify various required trainings as they engage in their specific areas of research.
Note: For all online training courses, Purdue uses the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program as it covers basic principles and most federal research regulations. You may login to the CITI Program (at: www.citiprogram.org) using your Purdue affiliation (i.e., select “Log in through my institution”).
Click on the banners that apply to your research portfolio to identify required/appropriate training.
Are you a researcher at Purdue?
All researchers at Purdue are required to complete training in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR).
Action 1: Complete the General RCR course in CITI. Tip: Review Question 2 in the course list in CITI, “Responsible Conduct of Research”, and add the course appropriate to your career stage.
Action 2: Complete the Field-specific RCR training requirement. More information about this component of the RCR training requirement is available
here.
Do you conduct or plan to conduct federally-funded research?
Any faculty members involved in federally-funded research is required to complete research security training. This mandatory training is necessary in order to satisfy federal requirements that are intended to safeguard the academic research enterprise against the misappropriation of U.S. research and development.
Do you conduct research with Human Subjects?
Researchers (Investigators and key personnel) engaged in research with human subjects must complete training in the appropriate category (Biomedical or Social Behavioral) prior to approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Action: Complete CITI online training for research with Human Subjects. Tip: Review
Question 1 in the course list in CITI, “Human Subjects Research - Initial (Basic) Training”.
Do you conduct or coordinate Human Clinical Trials?
Investigators and Clinical Trial staff “who are responsible for study coordination, data collection and data management,” in a human clinical trial are required to complete training in Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
Action: Complete the Good Clinical Practice course(s) applicable to you. Tip: Choose Question 8 in the course list in CITI and identify the course(s) that you need to complete.
Do you conduct research with Vertebrate Animals?
All researchers identified on an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocol are required to complete the online basic course and the appropriate species modules. Specific, in person training in research techniques, animal handling, and safety is also required and tracked.
Action 1: Complete the Laboratory Animal Research basic course and species-specific modules in CITI. Tip: Review Questions 3 and 4 on the course list, “Laboratory Animal Research”.
Action 2: Complete in-person, specific qualification and training requirements involving laboratory animal research and record/update your training in the dedicated online application for
Animal User Qualifications. More information about required training is available
here.
Are you working with recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, other hazards or pathogens?
Principal Investigators and all Lab Personnel conducting research with recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids must complete training on Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules. As applicable, additional modules on biosafety and in-person training on hazards or pathogens must also be completed.
Action 1: Complete the online CITI course on “Biosafety for Principal Investigators, Lab Personnel, and IBC Members”. Tip: Review Question 5 on the course list, “Institutional Biosafety Training”.
Are you conducting research subject to Export/ITAR Controls and restrictions on publications?
Researchers who conduct Export/ITAR controlled research and/or accept restrictions on publication are required to complete education on export control regulations and federal cybersecurity requirements.
Action 1: Complete the online Export Controls training modules applicable to your research project(s). Tip: review Question 6 on the course list in CITI, “Export Controls”.
Action 2: Complete additional
training courses relevant to your project as required by the Export Controls team and any Technology Control Plan to ensure cybersecurity protections and proper safeguarding of controlled data.
Do you conduct research projects sponsored by agencies that require training on Financial Conflicts of Interest (FCOIs)?
Researchers participating in projects sponsored by the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) or PHS-like agencies (i.e., agencies that have adopted PHS-like FCOI Regulations) and the U. S. Department of Energy and its agencies must have up-to-date FCOI Training. FCOI Training is also required for researchers who engage in entrepreneurship and consulting activities related to their research programs at Purdue.
Action: Complete the FCOI Training in CITI. Tip: Review Question 9 and add the appropriate module to your course list.
Do you use lasers in your research?
Do you engage in international research collaboration?
Purdue has added several optional CITI training modules, under the umbrella of Responsible Conduct of Research, that may be useful as you prepare for international collaborations (e.g., “Cybersecurity and Compliance Considerations for Safeguarding Research”, “Introduction to Undue Foreign Influence Impacts and Concerns in Academia”). Tip: Review Question 2 in the course list in CITI to identify optional modules that are relevant to the scope of your international collaboration.
Action 1: Complete relevant optional modules in CITI.
