Training Opportunities
An essential part of our training program for all researchers is training in the standards of scientific practice and the ethics governing the professional conduct of research. The National Institutes of Health require this training for all individuals whose training is supported by the NIH. The Department of Otolaryngology extends this requirement to all trainees and key personnel participating in research. This training should include training in the standards applicable to the research activities of the individual, and may include standards for protection of human and animal subjects of research, data management and dissemination, assignment of authorship and the rights and responsibilities of authors, rights and responsibilities of peer-review, defining and reporting conflict of interest, and mentorship.
A number of forums are available at the University of Michigan and on the World Wide Web for obtaining training in these various areas. For an excellent web-based training program, visit PEERRS. A highly relevant lecture and discussion course is PIBS 503, described below. Your laboratory director should be able to offer you further advice regarding training in specific areas and discuss the application of these research standards in your specific research environment.
PEERRS is a web-based training program with training modules specific to various research topics. Each module includes training and assessment components. Users should complete all modules that are relevant to their research, teaching and/or administrative responsibilities.
PIBS 503 - Research Responsibility and Ethics
PIBS 503 is held every Fall term and is open to all graduate students and postdoctoral trainees in scientific research disciplines at the University of Michigan. It consists of weekly lectures and small-group discussion sections. Topics include:
- data collection, storage, and ownership
- animal and human subjects
- publication and authorship
- mentorship
- peer review
- conflict of interests
- scientific misconduct
- cultural, racial, and gender issues
Those wishing to take the course should contact the course director, Kate F. Barald, Ph.D. (734-647-3376; kfbarald@umich.edu).
