SARI Requirements
Introduction
SARI (Scholarship and Research Integrity) is a responsible conduct of research (RCR) education program for students, postdocs, and faculty at Penn State. The SARI program is designed to create an awareness of ethical principles and established professional norms in the performance of all activities related to scholarship and research. Ultimately, our goal is to further foster trust among scholars and researchers and to increase the public’s support for research.
Purpose
All scholars confront ethical issues in their professions. Training is critical to prepare students and researchers to address ethical challenges that may arise in their work. Penn State requires SARI for all graduate students, postdocs, and new faculty to ensure the ethical conduct of research and scholarship at the University. In addition, undergraduate students participating in research must also participate in SARI training.
Quick Reference
| Career Stage | CITI Training (online)* | Discussion-based Education** | Continuing Education (CE) | Tracking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Students (recommend completing in first two years) | At least 1 course (RCR recommended) | Plus minimum 5 hours in person | May apply to funded research | Graduate program administrator records in LionPath |
| Postdoctoral Researchers | At least 1 course (RCR recommended, consult with mentor/advisor or program director) | n/a | ORP notifies about requirement and tracks completion | |
| All New Full-time Faculty (within 12-months from hire date) | RCR course (recommended) IRB or IACUC Course | - OR - 2-hours (in-person training may be taken instead of CITI online training) | Every 3-years. Faculty must report 1 hour of SARI CE every 3-years. CITI RCR refresher counts or workshops focusing on RCR or ethics-related | ORP notifies about requirement and tracks completion. Self report: sari@psu.edu |
| Undergraduate Students (see below) | RCR course | Automatically recorded in CITI |
Undergraduate Students: Required if performing research sponsored by NSF, NIFA or NIH training grant or if research may be included or lead to a publication or other report. Principal Investigators are responsible for ensuring students are appropriately trained.
Funding agencies including NIH, NSF, and NIFA have requirements for RCR training for students, postdoctoral researchers, and other trainees. SARI helps to fulfill these requirements.
*CITI Training Description
The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) offers numerous online courses, including the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), Human Subjects Research (IRB), or Animal Research (IACUC).
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The RCR course is recommended for most students, postdocs, and faculty. Students should check with their graduate program advisor to determine the most appropriate course.
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Research funded by NSF or NIFA must take the RCR course in CITI, per the terms and conditions of the grant.
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CITI training for human subjects or animal research protocols must be renewed every three years.
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The program-based system training offerings called CATS IRB, CATS IACUC, CATS Safety, etc., are not eligible for SARI credit.
**Discussion-based Education
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) topics must be addressed in the discussion-based education events.
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Check with your department or program within your college to determine how this requirement should be met.
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There may be other workshops and/or events that qualify for SARI credit, but ORP must approved the content first for eligibility.
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ORP Workshops are offered in the Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters (can only count for two (2) of the five (5) hours required). Note the Summer Semester offerings is much lighter than Fall and Spring.
Incomplete SARI Requirements
Each person is responsible for completing their SARI requirements.
All graduate students are expected to complete their SARI requirement set forth by their individual programs prior to graduation.
Postdocs and new faculty who fail to meet SARI will result in notification to the supervisor, department and/or dean.
Where to find SARI Credit
Graduate Students: Attendance at an ORP-sponsored SARI event will be recorded as a “comment” in the In-Person level in LionPath. SARI milestones are added automatically to newly enrolled students twice a semester.
Faculty, Postdocs, or Undergraduates: If you are uncertain whether you’ve completed the SARI requirements, please email sari@psu.edu.
CITI Training: Check in LionPath.
RISE: Research Integrity & Scholarly Ethics
In partnership with the Graduate School, the ORP is pleased to offer RISE 500L - Research Integrity & Scholarly Ethics (Health and Life Sciences) for interested departments. This one-credit course fulfills all SARI requirements for graduate students in departments that have opted in to RISE. If your department is interested in adopting RISE, please contact sari@psu.edu for additional information. Class registration is limited to students from participating departments.
The ORP also provides access to evaluation of existing SARI courses through the Ethical Decision Making pre- and post-survey, developed by the University of Oklahoma. Interested departments should contact sari@psu.edu.
Still have SARI questions?
If you cannot find the answer to your SARI questions here, please contact us at sari@psu.edu.