Scholarship and Research Integrity: SARI @ PSU

The first part is an online course offered through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program), and provides a common language and understanding of the history and principles of the responsible conduct of research (RCR).

citi.psu.edu

The second part is an interactive, discussion-based component that provides an opportunity for in-depth exploration of important issues unique to each field of study. Each graduate department or program establishes what can count toward this SARI requirement; for example, some departments may offer their own workshops or incorporate SARI lessons into a required course. The Office for Research Protections also offers workshops that can count toward SARI credit; please note that only two hours of the required SARI discussion-based activities can come from ORP workshops.  See the SARI Workshop Schedule for upcoming events.

Those performing research that may be included in, or lead to, a publication or other research report, should participate in SARI @ PSU. Consult with your mentor/adviser or program director to determine the appropriate CITI Program course.

The CITI course you should take is specified in your program's SARI @ PSU plan. For some SARI programs, the CITI course in Human Subjects Research (the "IRB" course) has been designated. For others, students should take the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) course. Students should check with their graduate program director for information on which CITI Program course to take. 

citi.psu.edu

Graduate student must also complete five hours of discussion-based activities that can be offered by their department and/ or by the Office for Research Protections. Graduate Program Administrators are responsible for tracking information and reporting annually to the ORP. 

Since September 1, 2011, all new PSU full-time faculty are required to participate in SARI @ PSU activities. New faculty have 12 months from date of hire to complete the SARI @ PSU requirement, which consists of two hours of RCR educational activities. This requirement may be met through: 

• any CITI online course 
• two hours of discussion-based activity, or 
• a combination of activities 

SARI @ PSU participation should be self-reported to ORP via the SARI@PSU faculty portal. Completion of any CITI course will be automatically recorded in the faculty member’s profile. SARI @ PSU participation records will be shared annually with campus administrators, college deans and department heads. 

SARI@PSU Faculty Portal

Continuing education requirement: Every three years (by the 48th month of employment at PSU, and every three years after that), faculty must report one hour of SARI @ PSU continuing education activity. These requirements can be met by any of the SARI @ PSU activities described above, or by completing an online “refresher course” offered by CITI.

Graduate program administrators are responsible for keeping track of students’ progress for fulfilling their SARI @ PSU requirements.  They also submit an updated annual tracking form for their program(s). SARI@PSU tracking forms are due at the end of June and uploaded into a webform. (include hyperlink for webform) Program administrators also receive updates about SARI @ PSU, as well as information about upcoming educational events via email. If you are a program administrator leaving your position, please report any personnel changes by contacting us at sari@psu.edu  

An information sheet about the SARI @ PSU program is available to download and print for handouts.

Many departments within the University offer their own course or seminar on responsible conduct for research to fulfill the SARI @ PSU requirements.  Resources are available to assist you by clicking on this link.

If you need language to verify Penn State's RCR training, feel free to copy and paste the language found at the following link into your grant proposals, or anywhere that a description of the SARI @ PSU is required: https://www.research.psu.edu/education/sari-grant

For assistance please contact us at sari@psu.edu.