Stimson Library LibGuides: Alternative Literature Searching: The Alternative Literature Search

Principal Investigator Search Requirements

AMEDD Center and School Principal Investigators (PI's) are required to perform two types of literature searches

a duplication of effort search to ensure the research has not been done before, and
a search for alternatives to painful procedures.

Guidelines

Searching for Alternatives to Painful Procedures Used on Animal Research
Published in March 2002 by the National Institute of Health (NIH)

NIH Principal Investigators (PIs), IACUC reviewers, and ARAC members are encouraged to use this guide when considering research alternatives to painful or distressful procedures on animals.
Worksheet and Instructions for Alternatives Literature Searching
Published May 2009 by the USDA Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC).

This worksheet is designed to assist researchers, information specialists and IACUC members when conducting literature searches to determine if alternatives exist and to determine whether the protocol unnecessarily duplicates previous research
Resources for Alternative Literature Searching
Posted by the Animal Welfare Information Center.
Literature Search for Alternatives Worksheet: A Step-by-step Approach to an Alternative Literature Search
Published by UCDavis Center for Animal Alternatives Information.

This worksheet is designed to assist researchers with their literature searches, while facilitating compliance with regulatory agencies. The search should identify any alternatives to potentially painful or distressful procedures, while also assuring that the protocol does not unnecessarily duplicate previous research.

The 3Rs of Animal Alternatives

When searching for animal alternatives, the Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) refers to the 3R's of W.M.S. Russell and R.L. Burch (1959) in The Principles of Humane Experiment.

Animal alternatives should be considered for regulatory, social, human, and economic reasons. These options are often referred to as the 3Rs of Animal Alternatives.

The 3rs are

the Reduction in the number of animals used,
the Refinement of techniques and procedures that reduce pain or distress, and
the Replacement of animals with non-animal techniques.

Alternative Literature Searching: The Alternative Literature Search

Library Megasearch

Principal Investigator Search Requirements

Guidelines

The 3Rs of Animal Alternatives