Searching the Literature for Animal Testing Alternatives

Steps in the Research Process

Define the Question

Construct the Query

Select & Search Databases

Evaluate Your Search

Manage Your Results

Report Your Results

As with laboratory research, literature searching is an iterative process that requires frequent assessment of materials and methods. When evaluating your searches into animal testing refinement, reduction, and replacement ("The 3R's"), there are a number of questions you can ask yourself. The answers to the questions on the next two pages will help you determine whether your search is complete or whether you need to continue.

• How many citations did I find?
  The main problem that literature searchers encounter is finding either too much or too little information. If you have found too few citations, consider searching more databases, broadening your search terms, or searching a larger time span. If you find too many citations, perhaps you can limit or narrow your search terms to be more specific.
• Are my keyword terms related to my search protocol?
  While this seems like an obvious question to ask, it is still very important. Make sure that the words you use to search are relevant to your research - otherwise you will end up with results that are not useful to you.
• What keyword terms did I use for animal testing alternatives?
  The NIH Library suggests that only using "terms for painful aspects" and using the term "alternative" without other synonyms could be a red flag for IACUCs and other investigatory bodies.
• Are my keyword terms appropriate for the databases I searched?
  Some of the best databases use a controlled vocabulary system that can affect your search. For instance, PubMed MEDLINE uses the term "neoplasm" instead of "cancer". Other databases may focus more on common language terms. This will make a difference for searches on species, diseases, drugs, and tissues.