Improving the design of your experiments
Useful resources aiding experimental design of studies involving animals
EUROC: Edinburgh University Research Optimisation Course
This course covers rigorous design, conduct, analysis and reporting of research using animals. It will provide both basic and enhanced research design training based on the level to which you complete the course.
The course consists of the following modules
- Study Design & Data Analysis
- Experimental Procedure
- Pre-registration & Reporting
Experimental Design Assistant (NC3Rs)
The Experimental Design Assistant is an online tool to help researchers design animal experiments with a minimum of animals and apply appropriate statistical methods when analysing the results.
NC3Rs Experimental Design Assistant Tool
PREPARE guidelines
As part of ongoing efforts to reduce waste, promote animal alternatives and increase the reproducibility of research and testing, Norecopa (the Norwegian equivalent of NC3R) with the involvement and support of the RSPCA, has produced a set of guidelines for planning experiments:
Responsible Research in Practice free webinars
Responsible Research in Practice supports researcher development and promotes good research culture. They publish monthly free webinars on a range of topics, including 'How to plan animal studies well' and 'a guide to responsible animal research' amongst many others:
Responsible Research Free Webinars
The first R: Replacement
InterNICHE is a diverse network focusing on animal use and alternatives in medical, veterinary and biological education
Breeding Calculator
A useful tool in planning rodent breeding to prevent the generation of surplus animals and to promote good practice in breeding of animals.
Institute of Laboratory Animal Science Breeding Calculator
Useful publications
Please find a list of useful publications for experimental design in animal studies.
