About the Office of Research Integrity

Mission Statement
The Office of Research Integrity provides broad oversight, resources and education for integrity and compliance issues relating to the conduct of research at the University of California, Riverside. The Office of Research Integrity carries out its responsibilities by:

• Monitoring and making recommendations concerning ethical, professional, federal, state and other (e.g. international) policies or requirements relating to research, whether proposed or in effect;
• Creating and maintaining the UCR research integrity and compliance infrastructure;
• Educating and training researchers in the responsible conduct of research and research compliance;
• Implementing policy and procedural requirements relating to research misconduct and the federal Office of Research Integrity.

Research Responsibility
Research activities are governed by a number of regulatory and compliance committees imposed by federal and state laws. Non-compliance can result in penalties to the institution and the individual. It is the responsibility of any member of the UCR community conducting research to be familiar with university policies as they relate to these research compliance areas.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Community Reference Information

The University of California, Riverside, (UCR) research community has a responsibility to make sure that the treatment of human participants in research meets the highest standards of ethics, care, and consideration, and that accurate and current information is provided to all prospective research participants. Our goal is to maintain and promote an open and cooperative relationship between researchers and the greater university community, and to inform/educate the larger community about standards for human participant research that all researchers must abide by in order to conduct their research.

The Human Research Review Board (HRRB) at UCR oversees the university’s human participants program. The HRRB includes both experienced university and community members who are experts in research ethics. Any proposed research activities involving human participants which may be published, presented, or distributed must be approved by the UCR HRRB before the research begins. This is required for all research projects involving human participants, regardless of: 1) whether the project is funded or not; 2) the source of the funds, if funded; and 3) the level of risk posed to participants, however great or small it may be.

What is Research?

• Research is a study designed to answer a specific question.
• Scientists do research because they want to know what helps people the most.
• Some other words that describe research are clinical trials, protocols, surveys, and experiments.
• Research is not the same as treatment or receiving treatment.

Why is Research Important?

• Research has led to important discoveries that have contributed to greater health and well-being. Some examples are:
  • New drugs to treat cancer, diabetes, and other diseases
  • Ultrasound, X-ray machines, and diagnostic tests
  • Vaccines
  • Ways to stop smoking
  • Improved medical procedures
  • Laws passed to improve quality of life
  • Improved teaching methods

Questions to Ask as a Research Participant

• What exactly will happen to me in the research?
• Will there be any unpleasant side effects?
• Will the research help me personally?
• What other options do I have?
• Can I choose not to continue or to leave the study at any time?
• Will it cost me anything personally?

Some Points to Consider:

• A research study may or may not help any single person or individual, but the discoveries made from research could help others.
• Taking part in research is voluntary.
• Research discoveries could improve a person’s health and quality of life.

The UCR HRRB invites the community to contact us or representatives of the board to discuss problems, concerns, and questions, or to obtain information or offer input. This can be accomplished by emailing us at IRB@UCR.EDU, calling us at (951) 827-5535, or faxing us at (951) 827-4483.

Additional general information regarding human participant research can be obtained from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Human Research Protections,

toll-free: (866) 447-4777
by mail: 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 200
Rockville, MD. 20852
by email: ohrp@osophs.dhhs.gov
by fax: (240) 453-6909
or visit their website: www.hhs.gov/ohrp.