RCR Talks

Ethical standards and responsible practices are essential for successful scientific research. At any step in the research process, researchers may need to address ethical issues in a thoughtful, responsible manner. The Office of Research Support and Compliance (RSC) serves as a resource for researchers at the University of Texas at Austin. Our objective is to provide education so researchers learn to effectively recognize issues and avoid research misconduct while informing them of the resources that are available to support research. RSC offers workshops that cover subject matter/topics as described in the guidance provided by NIH.

RCR Topics

Conflict of Interest
Human subjects, live vertebrate animal subjects in research, & safe laboratory practices
Mentor/mentee responsibilities & relationships
Safe research environments that promote inclusion & are free of sexual, racial, ethnic, disability & other forms of discriminatory harassment

Collaborative research
Peer review
Data acquisition & analysis
Secure and ethical data use
Research misconduct
Responsible authorship & publication
The scientist as a responsible member of society

Spring 2023 Schedule

February 20 Success and Failure in Research Collaboration: Lessons from Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems Research
March 1 Best Practices for Determining Authorship in Scientific Publications
March 9 Research Integrity Challenges in Open Science
April 4 Best Practices for Text Recycling (AKA “Self-Plagiarism”) in Scientific Writing
April 17 Thinking Through Representation in Human Subjects Research

New sessions are added regularly so be sure to check back for up-to-date information.

Success and Failure in Research Collaboration: Lessons from Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems Research

Date/Time: February 20, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Location: Online via Zoom

Presented by Ufuk Topcu, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin

Drawing from my experiences in interdisciplinary research, I will present my observations from successful and unsuccessful research collaborations with researchers in academia, government, and industry at the intersection of engineering and computer science and then open the floor to Q&A. (subject matter: collaborative research)

Best Practices for Determining Authorship in Scientific Publications

Date/Time: March 1, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: Online via Zoom

Presented by Carlos R. Baiz, PhD, W.T. Doherty Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin

Determining authorship in publications can be difficult when multiple researchers are involved with a research project. Drawing from experiences in the fields of physics, chemistry, and biochemistry, this talk will cover key aspects of how authorship is attributed in the physical and life sciences. Authorship criteria, determining first and corresponding authors, and other aspects will be explored. Specific case scenarios will be discussed and audience members are encouraged to participate. (subject matter: responsible authorship)

Research Integrity Challenges in Open Science

Date/Time: March 9, 9:00 – 10:00 am
Location: Online via Zoom

Presented by Søren Holm, PhD, Professor of Bioethics, Centre for Social Ethics and Policy, Department of Law, School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom

The ‘Responsible Open Science in Europe (ROSiE)’ project is investigating the research integrity challenges that are raised by a range of Open Science (OS) practices. There are many good reasons to pursue OS, but OS practices such as open data or preprint publication also opens up new possibilities for research misconduct and questionable research practices as has been clearly evidenced by a number of high profile COVID-19 related cases. This talk will describe and analyze some of the research integrity challenges raised by current OS practices and possible strategies for mitigation. It will also look at future challenges if OS is extended to open research materials and open research sites. (subject matter: secure and ethical data use)

View recorded RCR talk session

Best Practices for Text Recycling (AKA “Self-Plagiarism”) in Scientific Writing

Date/Time: April 4, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Location: Online via Zoom

Presented by Cary Moskovitz, Director of Writing in the Disciplines at Duke University and Lead P.I. on the Text Recycling Research Project

Researchers often need to repeat some content from their papers, especially when the same methodological approach, experimental apparatus, or statistical analyses are used in related studies. Researchers may also have reason to repeat some background material, such as discussion of prior research or theoretical frameworks. Reusing material from one’s previously published papers in a new paper is one kind of text recycling. Others include reusing material from a published article in one’s dissertation, reworking a conference paper into a journal article, and translating one’s work into a different language. Some kinds of recycling are widely considered appropriate and even standard practice. Others, especially manipulating text to disguise a previously published paper and submitting it as a new work, are universally condemned and may lead to disciplinary action. Given the wide variety of ways that researchers might recycle text, it isn’t surprising that they are often unsure about what is and isn’t ethical or legal. Cary Moskovitz, director of the NSF-funded Text Recycling Research Project (TRRP) will discuss the various ethical and legal complexities of text recycling in research writing and explain best practices for recycling material across a range of research contexts. (subject matter: responsible authorship)

View recorded RCR talk session

Thinking Through Representation in Human Subjects Research

Date/Time: April 17, 10:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Online via Zoom

Presented by Audrey Duarte, PhD, Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin

The fact that the majority of human subjects research participants, across disciplines, have been Non-Hispanic White, and from Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) societies is common knowledge in the scientific community. In this presentation I will discuss: 1) what emerging results from more diverse samples are revealing about the lack of generalizability of prior research findings, and 2) why representative research samples are essential for research integrity, and 3) how we can responsibly increase the diversity of our research samples. (subject matter: human subjects)

Note: Search for course RR0009 when registering for the training session. Zoom link is available via registration.

REGISTER HERE

Past Sessions

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Fall 2022 Show More

Navigating the Benefits and Pitfalls of Collaborative Research

Presented by Charles J. Werth, PhD, Professor and Bettie Margaret Smith Chair in Environmental Health Engineering in the Department of Civil, Architecture, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin on September 27, 2022.

Collaborative research can open up new opportunities in research, learning, and friendship. However, not all collaborations end well. This talk will cover when it’s appropriate to pursue collaborative research, and how to prepare for a successful relationship. (subject matter: collaborative research)

Stronger Together: Connections and Responsibilities Between Mentors and Mentees

Presented by Mike Boylan-Kolchin, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin on October 5, 2022.

Virtually everyone in academia both serves as a mentor and is mentored, yet we have very little formal training or guidance on how to approach these roles. I will discuss these roles and strategies for getting the most out of the mentor/mentee relationship, with a particular focus on (1) establishing trust as the basis for an effective relationship, and (2) giving and receiving feedback as essential components of the mentorship process. (subject matter: mentor/mentee)

Peer Reviewing and Being Peer Reviewed

Presented by Keri Stephens, PhD, Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin and Co-Director of the Technology & Information Policy Institute (TIPI) on October 11, 2022.

Peer reviewing is an integral part of maintaining integrity and developing strong published work. This session will explore ethical responsibilities involved with conducting peer reviews in academic publications and grants, deciding when and how you want to engage in peer reviews, and coping when you receive peer reviews that you do not expect. (subject matter: peer review)

Ethical Dimensions of Research Involving Vulnerable Marginalized Communities

Presented by Kasey Faust, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Architecture, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin on November 3, 2022.

This talk will explore conducting research with vulnerable or marginalized communities and the importance of recognizing the impact of our work in this space. We will discuss micro-interactions when working with communities and maintaining these relationships, power structures that exist, and the macro-level consideration of the widescale implications of our work. In particular, we will frame much of this talk around working in indigenous communities in Alaska; however, this talk is broadly applicable to working within any community. (subject matter: scientist in society)

The Difference a Positive Experience Can Make: Considerations from Developmental Neuroimaging Research

Presented by Jessica Church-Lang, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin on November 7, 2022.

We work to form partnerships with families that participate in our research. I’ll discuss some recent considerations our lab has had regarding recruitment, compensation, inclusivity of research measures, and creating a positive experience for families. (subject matter: human participant research)

Registered Reports: Building Transparency and Credibility in the Scientific Community

Presented by Christian T. Doabler, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education and a Research Fellow of the Mathematics and Science Institute for Students with Special Needs at The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at The University of Texas at Austin on December 2, 2022.

Registered reports represent an innovative way to improve transparency and credibility in the scientific community. Departing from traditional models of publication, registered reports demonstrate strong potential to (a) increase research quality, (b) reduce publication bias, and (c) mitigate questionable research practices such as P-hacking, HARKing, and cherry-picking of desirable findings. This session will focus on registered reports, discussing the primary benefits, obstacles, and the two-stages peer review process. (subject matter: secure and ethical data use)