Human subjects training


The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative, or CITI, provides all KU researchers and associates with access to an expertly updated human subjects research tutorial. The tutorial must be completed every three years with a cumulative score of 80% each time.

Contact

KU human subjects tutorial

CITI tutorial instructions for new users

  1. Go to citiprogram.org and click "Log in."
  2. Click "Log in through my institution."
  3. Choose University of Kansas-Lawrence from the SSO list.
  4. Log in with your KU online ID and password.
  5. Click the "Continue" button.
  6. Select "I don't have a CITI Program account and I need to create one."
  7. Select "Click here to create a new CITI Program account." A CITI account will be created and linked to your KU-Lawrence or KUMC login info, and you will be able to log in using SSO in the future.
  8. On the main menu, make sure "University of Kansas-Lawrence" is selected.
  9. Click on the "Add a course" link to complete enrollment.
  10. Complete your registration. The only required tutorial for KU-Lawrence and Edwards campuses is Question 1: Basic Human Subjects Research. Click the "CITI for Social & Behavioral Research Investigators" training.
  11. Scroll down and answer "Not at this time" for the remaining questions.
  12. Click the "Submit" button to complete registration.

 


Community-engaged research resources

Community-engaged research (CEnR) refers to a cooperative approach to research that includes partnerships and collaboration among researchers and community organizations and agencies. This differs from the traditional approach where researchers are responsible for the design, conduct and reporting of the research and the community member’s participation is only as a human subject. Participation of community members in the research process varies from modest input to full participation in all aspects of the research design, conduct and reporting.

 

Building relationships

One example of CEnR is the program Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships in Education Research, sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). In this program, researchers partner with education agencies and local districts to identify issues and carry out research projects with the goal of making changes that will improve the success of school communities.

A key element of community-engaged research is open communication between the researchers and community stakeholders. Engaging the community in the research process can foster a relationship of trust between the community and the researchers, help identify issues relevant to the community, and promote participation in studies. Human research with community engagement does pose additional ethical issues with respect to the community that should be considered by researchers and the IRB. CITI Program training is available for CEnR and recommended for all research personnel involved in a CEnR project.

Defining communities

A community is a group of people linked by social ties who share common perspectives or interests, and may also share a geographical location (Harvard Catalyst).

Examples of characteristics that community members might share:
 

  • Culture or ethnic heritage
  • Language
  • School district
  • Age group
  • Experiences, special interests or attributes (e.g. asthma sufferers, immigrants)

Optional CITI training for community-engaged research

KU HRPP offers CITI training modules specific to community-engaged research (CEnR). They are listed in the supplemental modules of the Social & Behavioral Research course option:

  • Introduction to Community Engaged Research (CEnR)
  • Introduction to Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)
  • Ethical and Practical Considerations in Community-Engaged Research (CEnR)

Other supplemental modules to the Social & Behavioral Research course that may be relevant to research personnel using a CEnR approach include:

  • Cultural Competence in Research
  • Research with Prisoners
  • Research with Children
  • Research in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
  • Research Involving Workers/Employees

Training for community members

In accordance with federal regulations, community members who will be engaged in the human subjects research portion of a project must have appropriate human subjects ethics training. Contact an IRB staff member at irb@ku.edu to discuss training options for community members who will obtain:

  • Data about the subjects of the research through intervention or interaction with them.
  • Identifiable private information about the subjects of the research.
  • Informed consent of human subjects for the research.

Building relationships

One example of CEnR is the program Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships in Education Research, sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). In this program, researchers partner with education agencies and local districts to identify issues and carry out research projects with the goal of making changes that will improve the success of school communities.

A key element of community-engaged research is open communication between the researchers and community stakeholders. Engaging the community in the research process can foster a relationship of trust between the community and the researchers, help identify issues relevant to the community, and promote participation in studies. Human research with community engagement does pose additional ethical issues with respect to the community that should be considered by researchers and the IRB. CITI Program training is available for CEnR and recommended for all research personnel involved in a CEnR project.

Defining communities

A community is a group of people linked by social ties who share common perspectives or interests, and may also share a geographical location (Harvard Catalyst).

Examples of characteristics that community members might share:
 

  • Culture or ethnic heritage
  • Language
  • School district
  • Age group
  • Experiences, special interests or attributes (e.g. asthma sufferers, immigrants)

Optional CITI training for community-engaged research

KU HRPP offers CITI training modules specific to community-engaged research (CEnR). They are listed in the supplemental modules of the Social & Behavioral Research course option:

  • Introduction to Community Engaged Research (CEnR)
  • Introduction to Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)
  • Ethical and Practical Considerations in Community-Engaged Research (CEnR)

Other supplemental modules to the Social & Behavioral Research course that may be relevant to research personnel using a CEnR approach include:

  • Cultural Competence in Research
  • Research with Prisoners
  • Research with Children
  • Research in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
  • Research Involving Workers/Employees

Training for community members

In accordance with federal regulations, community members who will be engaged in the human subjects research portion of a project must have appropriate human subjects ethics training. Contact an IRB staff member at irb@ku.edu to discuss training options for community members who will obtain:

  • Data about the subjects of the research through intervention or interaction with them.
  • Identifiable private information about the subjects of the research.
  • Informed consent of human subjects for the research.

KU researchers engage in discussion around an outdoor table under a large tree in Tanzania.

Final Friday Ethics Series

KU's Human Research Protection Program hosts a one-hour webinar on the final Friday of each month focused on ethical considerations for human subjects research.

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