Human Subjects Research  Online Tutorial

UCSD Human Research Protections Program Phone: 858-455-5050 E-mail: hrpp@ucsd.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I have to take this tutorial?
• How is the UCSD tutorial different from other online human subjects training programs?
• How does the tutorial work?
• How long does it take?
• Do I get a certificate of completion?
• My grants officer requires a letter describing the training I have completed.  Where do I get such a letter?
• Can I meet the NIH training requirements in other ways?
• What if I have a certificate from another training program?

Currently, the online tutorial is offered as a means for UCSD faculty, staff, and students to comply with the NIH human subjects training requirement and to learn more about the specifics of how the process of human subjects research review is conducted at UCSD compared to other institutions.  If you do not have an NIH grant that requires this training, it is elective, but recommended. 

How is the UCSD tutorial different from other online human subjects training programs?

All human subjects research tutorials cover general ethical and regulatory principles of human subjects research.  The UCSD tutorial also includes specifics about the review and approval process that are different at this institution than elsewhere, and additional requirements that result from California law.

How does the tutorial work?

The tutorial consists of a set of short statements on topics related to human subjects research, followed by multiple choice questions.  The questions are drawn from a database of questions maintained by the UCSD Human Subjects program, and new questions are added periodically to the database.  When you login, the system checks to see if you are already part way through the tutorial.  If so, it assembles a group of questions you have not already answered and presents them.  Question order is randomized, and the order of the answers is also randomized each time you log in. 

If you answer incorrectly, you will receive feedback on why the answer you chose is incorrect, and will be returned to the question.  Thus, everyone who takes the tutorial eventually achieves a 'perfect score'.  The system does record your incorrect answers, however, and may prompt you if your 'first click' answers are consistently incorrect.

How long does it take?

Most users are able to complete the tutorial and question set within about 20 - 60 minutes, if they have prior experience with human subjects research.

Do I get a certificate of completion?

Yes.  A personalized certificate is generated and stored in the system, so that you can return to the training website, login, and print additional copies in the future if needed.  Your training status is also stored in the UCSD Human Subjects database system so that the University can verify to outside agencies that you have completed the training.

My grants officer requires a letter describing the training I have taken.  Where can I get such a letter?

Here.  You will need the Acrobat 4.0 Reader to view and print this letter, which describes on the online training and is signed by the UCSD Institutional Official for Human Subjects Protections.  If you don't have the latest version of the Acrobat Reader, get it here.

Can I meet the NIH training requirements in other ways?

Yes.  You can take in-person classes at UCSD (call 858-534-4520 for details), from national organizations such as PRIM&R/ARENA, and there are also web-based tutorials available from other organizations, such as the one that NIH created for its own intramural researchers.  All of these options will give you a certificate of training that can be used to meet the current NIH training requirement.

What if I have a certificate from another training program?

The NIH requirements can currently be met by showing completion of training from a variety of sources.  If you have already taken a training program, completion of this online web tutorial is not mandatory, but is still recommended because of the UCSD-specific information it contains.