Reproducibility, translatability, and scientific rigor are inherently connected to animal well-being.
Poor animal well-being has the potential to lead to poor quality data, poor reproducibility, and poor translation to humans. Failure of an experiment to produce benefits to humans or animals is in itself an animal welfare issue. To go Beyond3Rs, we need to prioritize scientific rigor to improve the ultimate success of experiments using animals.
While they are sometimes thought of as failures, negative results are also an important part of the scientific process and can be learned from, systematically analyzed, and built upon by future research. Negative results are different from inconclusive results – negative results suggest looking for a different experimental target, while inconclusive results suggest looking for a different experimental design.
We encourage researchers to look for ways to make better use of animals, such as applying modern statistical methods, using appropriate and innovative experimental designs, and collecting more qualitative and individualized information about each animal. Reproducibility can additionally be aided through more rigorous planning (e.g. following the PREPARE guidelines) and transparent reporting of animal experiments (e.g., following the ARRIVE guidelines).
Prioritizing rigor and reproducibility at all points throughout the experimental process takes us Beyond3Rs.
Key Definitions
- The following concepts represent critical components of the knowledge cycle of biomedical research:
- Preclinical Reproducibility
Replication of results from animal studies in other animal studies. - Clinical Reproducibility
Replication of results from human studies in other human studies. - Forward Translation
Demonstrating results from animal studies in human studies. - Reverse Translation
Demonstrating results from human studies in animal studies.
Reverse translation involves predicting animal responses to treatments through human data modeling, and applying clinical experimental design methods to preclinical trials. One example of reverse translation is heterogenization, which applies the clinical approach of utilizing natural variation rather than removing it. Reverse translation can help produce more specific experimental targets, more valid animal models, and more generalizable results.
Research: Reproducibility and Translation
Our findings suggest that environmental standardization is a cause of, rather than a cure for, poor reproducibility of experimental outcomes. Environmental standardization can contribute to spurious and conflicting findings in the literature and unnecessary animal use.
From "Environmental standardization: cure or cause of poor reproducibility in animal experiments?"
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If you wrote or know of a publication that you think we should add to this catalog, email us at beyond3Rs@stanford.edu!
