The Common Rule is a set of U.S. federal regulations (45 CFR 46) that establishes ethical standards and guidelines for the protection of human subjects in research. It emphasizes informed consent, requires institutional review board (IRB) oversight, and addresses issues such as minimizing risks, ensuring privacy, and balancing potential benefits and harms to participants. The Common Rule aims to uphold ethical principles and protect the rights and welfare of individuals involved in research.

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) refers to the ethical and professional standards that researchers must follow in the design, conduct, and reporting of their work. RCR encompasses areas such as data integrity, plagiarism, authorship, conflicts of interest, and the humane treatment of animals in research. Adhering to RCR principles ensures the credibility, transparency, and integrity of scientific research, promoting public trust in the scientific community and the knowledge generated through research endeavors.