Responsible Conduct of Research
The Care and Use of Animals in Research
Thursday, January 29, 2015
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Room 103 Erickson Hall (the Kiva)
At the highest level, one important principle is that the process of research must not exceed or violate established ethical boundaries. Such boundaries are established for many reasons, including human experiences, evolving ethical viewpoints, new laws, societal needs, and others. While there are differences in how some disciplines interpret and implement professional standards, other societal standards are judged of such importance that decisions about what may or may not be ethical are not left to individuals or even groups representing single disciplines. Two examples include research studying humans and research studying other animals.
For both human and animal studies, the responsibility for ethical review is delegated to formally established committees that must be comprised in specific ways, must follow formal procedures for deliberations, and must apply specific standards and guidelines in order for approved research to be considered ethical. However, these decisions are not always clear and not always agreed to by others. Such committees are generally called “institutional review boards” or “ethics review boards.” Not all research is covered by a “review board”, but it is extremely important that researchers understand whether or not their research must be subjected to an institutional review, because such review comprises the basis for several key areas of compliance that has been discussed in previous RCR Workshops.
Conducting research without such review can bring strong disciplinary action to both the individual researcher(s) and their institution. Of particular importance to the researcher, the findings may not be published or distributed in any way that supports their professional development. Unapproved research included in a thesis or dissertation can result in the Graduate School electing to restrict distribution of these documents that otherwise are considered publications.
Animal Research Reviews: This workshop will highlight the humane care and use of animals in research, the historical basis for Federal regulations and guidelines to insure this, and institutional considerations for authorizing the conduct of such research based on an assessment of risks and benefits. Vertebrate animals may not be used for research and teaching purposes unless institutional approval is granted in advance for projects and protocols that are deemed to be scientifically and ethically justified.
Even though not all researchers are subject to institutional reviews, we believe that understanding the process is relevant to all researchers. Thus, persons desiring certificates of completion of the RCR Workshop series are required to attend either the workshop on human research reviews or on animal research reviews.
- On Being a Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research: Third Edition
Human Participants and Animal Subjects in Research
- MSU Research & Scholarly Integrity Resources
Use of Animals at Michigan State University
- Will be assigned by email prior to the Workshop.
- U.S. Public Health Service, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
- U.S.D.A., Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- Animal Welfare
- Laws, Regulations and Federal Policies
- MSU's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Prior Registration is Required for All Workshops!
Please go to http://grad.msu.edu/rcrRegistration/ and follow the directions for registering through the Graduate School’s on-line Registration System.