Research

Human Subjects Research

Human Subjects Research Training

What is the human subjects training requirement?

Portland State University's Human Research Protection Program training requirement is to provide research personnel with the necessary knowledge and understanding of human subjects research's underlying ethical principles. PSU uses the online Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training to meet this basic training requirement. CITI is a web-based training program designed by and updated and maintained by nationally known IRB professionals.

Who is required to have human subjects training?

All research personnel working with participants and/or identifiable participant data, including those unaffiliated with PSU, must be listed on the protocol and maintain current human subjects training. Faculty members advising students who are doing human subjects, research must have a current CITI training certification (even if the faculty advisor is not interacting with the participant and/or identifiable participant data).

How do I satisfy the human subjects training requirement?

  • PSU students, faculty, and staff listed on the human subjects protocol must take the Human Subjects Researcher course learner group 1. This learner group can be found on the CITI website under the Protection of Human Subjects training curriculum.
  • The minimum passing score is 80%. This is based on the entire course, not on individual modules within the course. You can improve your score by repeating a module and quiz. When your Grade Book gives you an option to print a "Completion Report," it means you passed the course.
  • HRPP requests for review will not be processed without certification of human subjects research training for investigators listed in HRPP Review Form 1: Project Overview & Pre-Screening.
  • Researchers not affiliated with PSU must also have CITI training. Anyone can create an account with CITI and affiliate with PSU. PSU may accept documentation of human subjects training completion in accordance with the researchers' home institutions' policy.
  • The principal investigator's responsibility is to ensure every person on their research team is listed on the protocol and has current human subjects training certification.

Access the training via the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative:

  1. Click on Register in the top right of the page
  2. If you have a PSU ODIN ID:
    1. Navigate to the Log In Through My Institution option in the top middle of the page
    2. Select Portland State University
    3. Login to CITI using your ODIN ID and password
  3. If you do NOT have an ODIN ID (e.g., are external to PSU, etc.):
    1. Navigate to Register in the top right of the page
    2. Select PSU from the Participating Institutions drop-down menu
    3. Create a username and r research activities.
  4. After you are registered and on the Select Curriculum page, ONLY ANSWER QUESTION #1.
    1. Select the correct Human Subjects Research course based on you
      1. *Group 1: Human Subjects Researcher (most will select this option) [~1.5 hours to complete]
      2. *Group 2: Institutional Review Board (IRB) Committee Members [~4 hours to complete]
      3. *Group 3: IRB administrators and/or PSU research administrators. [~4.5 hours to complete]password