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CITI Training Instructions IRB

All Investigators (Employees and Students) must complete CITI Training in order to conduct research projects with humans. Human Subject's CITI Certification is valid for five years after completion at Ferris.
For a description of all CITI courses offered at Ferris, see the ORSP CITI Information Page.

Registering with Ferris State University

  1. Visit the CITI login page
  2. Next to "New Users", click the "Register Here" link
  3. Select "Ferris State University" from the drop-down menu of "Participating Institutions"
  4. Create a username and password (note: it is recommended that your username match your Ferris username so that your training can be automatically synced into Cayuse IRB)
  5. Fill out the additional personal information and select "No" under the CME/CEU credits
  6. Select whether or not to take the survey
  7. Complete the additional information requested by Ferris State University
  8. Select the appropriate research category you belong to (see below for guidance)
  9. Unless applicable, select "no" when asked to affiliate with another institution.

For detailed instructions, see our CITI Screenshot Instructions
or view our Educational Video Session: CITI Training Requirements

Ferris has three categories of research modules, from which you may choose the appropriate training. Selection of the CITI training category depends on the type of research one is conducting. There may be additional modules required if you are working on an externally funded project, in medical settings, with internet research, children, pregnant women, prisoners or any other vulnerable population(s). Additional modules appear as "optional" and will need to be selected individually. For a description of all CITI courses offered at Ferris, see the ORSP CITI Information Page.

Good Clinical Practice and Responsible Conduct of Research categories are available for those who wish to expand upon the basic training requirements. Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is required for investigators involved in the Summer Research Fellowship (SRF) Program and for certain externally funded projects.

If you are unsure of which CITI category you belong into for your research project, contact the IRB for assistance.

Required Modules (select one)

Biomedical Researchers

Conduct basic, applied, and/or translational research that aims to contribute to the body of knowledge in the field of medicine and is split into two categories:

Clinical Trials evaluate new treatments for safety and efficacy.

Preclinical research elaborates on current knowledge to develop new strategies.

Examples of biomedical research:

  • A pharmacy student gives subjects a prescription medication to measure effects of an increased dosage.
  • An optometry student places eye drops into the eyes of subjects to look for damage on the cornea.

Social & Behavioral Researchers

Focus on human beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that are influenced by various social, biological and/or environmental factors. Data collection commonly involves surveys or questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, direct or participant observation, laboratory or field experiments, and non-invasive physical measurements.

Examples of social and behavioral research:

  • A nursing student surveys subjects on comfort level in various waiting room environments.
  • An education student measures how much students learn with a new teaching style.

Data/Specimen Only Researchers

Involves less than minimal risk research that collects or studies pre-existing data, documents, records, and/or specimens if the sources are publicly available or is recorded in such a way that subjects cannot be identified directly or through identifiers. Also included is data that has been or will be collected solely for non-research purposes where sources are publicly unavailable, but subjects are identifiable directly or through identifiers. Researchers typically select this group for Exempt 1-E and Expedited 2-E research.