Electronic Research Tutorials
Institutional Review Board
Electronic Research Tutorials for IRB Protocols
We offer self-paced on-line UCI Research Tutorials for individuals performing human subjects research. The tutorials review core concepts for the responsible conduct of research involving human subjects and guide users through the major principles for conducting research in a way that is consistent with federal and University requirements and with accepted scientific standards. Researchers (i.e., Lead Researcher, Co-Investigators, and Research Personnel) listed on human protocols must complete the applicable tutorials for credit before Committee approval can be granted.
The following research tutorials are available for human subjects research:
- HIPAA Research Tutorial (required for IRB protocols involving PHI)
- Human Research Tutorial (required for IRB Protocols)
Optional CITI Training for IRB Protocols
Additional human research protections training is available through the Collaborative Institutional Training Institute (CITI) web-based training program. Completion of CITI Training is not a substitute for the Human Research tutorial. It is optional for individuals seeking additional training. The IRB also reserves the right to require completion of CITI Training on a case by case basis.
To Enroll the UCI Human Research Protections CITI Training:
- Go to Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI).
- Register as a "New User" or log in if you are already a User.
- Select "University of California, Irvine" as the Participating Institution.
- Be sure to use your UCInetID as your username when registering to ensure that you will receive credit for completion. For best results, use your UCI email address as the "Preferred Email" as well.
- Complete the Member Information online form. Once you have provided the member information, you'll be led through a series of screening questions to determine which training modules you want to access.
To Start the Course:
- Enroll in a Learner Group appropriate for your role in human subjects research (e.g., Biomedical Research Investigator, Social and Behavioral Research Investigator, or IRB member and HRP Staff).
- The required and optional modules for your Learner Group are listed in the Grade Book.
- Complete the required modules and associated quizzes.
- Complete any optional modules that may be of interest to you.
The Basic Courses require 2-3 hours to complete. The modules may be completed over multiple sessions. You must complete a module and the related quiz before you log out of a session. If you do not complete the module, you will be required to take it again.
The minimum "passing" aggregate score (80%) for the quizzes have been set by the UCI HRPP. A running tally is compiled in the Grade Book. If you want to improve a score on a quiz, you may repeat the module and the quiz.
You can print or download a Course Completion Report as evidence that you have met UCI HRPP's requirements. You can view or print your completion reports any time by logging into CITI.
Questions:
- Questions regarding how to access the CITI modules should be addressed to UCI HRPP or call 949-824-6068 or 949-824-2125 for assistance.
- Technical issues should be addressed to citisupport@med.miami.edu or to 305- 243-7970.
HRPP Quick Tips
The following HRP Quick Tips presentations were developed by the HRP staff. They provide investigators and research staff quick guidance for problems and issues commonly seen by the HRP staff.
- PowerPoint Presentation: Comparison of Non-Human Subject Research, Exempt Category 4 Research, and Expedited Category 5 Research
- PowerPoint Presentation: Review of Modification Requests – Tips and Info
Instructions for Electronic Research Tutorials for IRB Protocols
If you are taking the UCI electronic tutorial as a requirement for a UCI IRB protocol, you must take the tutorial for credit. In order to receive credit for taking a tutorial, UCI employees and students must take the tutorials using their UCINetID (UCI Network ID) and password. All of the tutorials can be taken anonymously to practice or review core concepts.
IRB Protocols: Non-UCI affiliated study team members working on UCI IRB protocols may take the UCI Human Research Tutorial or submit verification of human subject research training from their own institution. Note: guest UCINetIDs are no longer required to take UCI Human Research Tutorial.
If an outside institution has asked you to complete a UCI tutorial, you should take the tutorial as a visitor. Upon completion of the tutorial, a congratulations message will appear indicating that you have completed the tutorial as a visitor. You should print this for verification of tutorial completion if it is required by your institution.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are taking the tutorial for a UCI protocol, you must take the tutorial for credit.
CITI Training for IACUC Protocols
UCI has transitioned from an in-house animal research tutorial to the Collaborative Institutional Training Institute (CITI) web-based training program. All individuals who plan to work with live animals in research must complete the basic training module “Working with Live Animals in Research” before they can be listed on an approved IACUC protocol or engage in any research activities involving live animals. Additional training modules may be required before personnel can gain access to campus vivaria. For training requirements associated with UCI vivarium access, please visit the ULAR website and click on "Training" in the left hand tool bar.
"Refresher" Training: To ensure the ongoing welfare of laboratory animals and the quality of UCI’s accredited animal use program, all research personnel, regardless of their individual level of expertise, must complete a Refresher Course in laboratory animal use at least once every three years. Completion of required training will be verified at the time of annual continuation of existing protocols and at submission of all new or three-year renewal protocol application. Applications will not be reviewed until this requirement is complete.
Access the CITI training and click on “New Users Register Here”; this will take you to the Course Registration page.
Select "University of California, Irvine" from the dropdown list of Participating Institutions.
- Enter your UCINetID as your Username for CITI training. NOTE: Your training record in CITI must be associated with your UCINetID in order for you to obtain credit for the training.
- For best results, use your UCI email address as the "Preferred Email".
- Once you have provided the registration information, you'll be led through a series of screening questions to determine which training modules are appropriate for your specific research program.
NOTE: If you have recently completed CITI training at a different institution, you can add UCI as a participating institution to transfer your training credit. Follow the instructions on the CITI site for adding an additional institution and changing your Username and Preferred Email.
Troubleshooting
- UCInetIDs must be activated by the employee before they may be used. If you have never activated your account and don't have a password, click on the link above and follow the on-screen instructions. You will need to have your Employee ID number, Social Security Number and Birth Date for activation.
- If you are in the School of Medicine and are having trouble identifying your password, call the School of Medicine computer help desk at (949) 824-3434.
- Network and Academic Computing Services (NACS) is the campus department that manages UCInetIDs for UCI employees and students.
- Contact NACS for:
- Questions or problems with your UCInetID
- Information about Sponsored UCInetIDs for visiting faculty and guests from other institutions
- Forgotten passwords—see website above or call the NACS helpdesk at (949) 824-2222.
Experiencing problems with a research tutorial? Contact the Office of Research Administration at (949) 824-6068, 2125 or 6662.
Tutorial Verification Database
Anyone can verify whether a person performing research has taken any of the electronic research tutorials for credit. To verify the completion of a tutorial for credit, go to http://apps.research.uci.edu/tutorialcheck and enter a first name, last name or both. The resulting page can be provided to the Office of Research Administration to verify tutorial completion.

