Name: Joymar Q.
Albao Date: March 28, 2024
LABORATORY ACTIVITY 1
Learning Evaluation:
1. Why is experimental design crucial in animal research?
Experimental design in animal research is essential to ensure that studies are meticulously
planned and executed. This includes adherence to the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement,
Reduction, and Refinement) to minimize animal use and suffering. By implementing
rigorous experimental design, researchers can avoid poorly planned studies that might lead
to unnecessary repetition, sparing additional animals from experimentation. Furthermore,
it contributes to the accumulation of a robust evidence base, particularly in areas where
animal research findings may not directly translate to humans, such as certain aspects of
human disease research. Additionally, meticulous experimental design facilitates the
proper planning and execution of studies utilizing modern, non-animal approaches, thereby
bolstering confidence in these methods and fostering their broader acceptance and
advancement, even in fields where animal experimentation is still utilized.
Ref: FRAME. (2022, July 1). Why is experimental design important? | FRAME.
[Link]
design/#:~:text=It%20ensures%20studies%20using%20modern,animals%20may%20still
%20be%20used.
2. How does proper experimental design minimize bias and ensure the validity of outcomes?
Proper experimental design minimize bias and ensure validity of outcomes by using
random sampling and blind sampling. Random sampling ensures that the groups are
balanced and comparable with respect to the variables that could affect the outcome. On
the other hand, blind sampling prevents the participants from changing their behavior and
expectations, and the researchers from influencing or interpreting the results based on their
opinions or assumptions. The inclusion of positive and negative controls and utilizing
quality control for reliability and reproducibility can also help minimize bias and ensure
validity of outcomes.
Ref: Minimizing bias in experimental design and execution. (n.d.).
[Link]
and-
execution#:~:text=Best%20practices%20for%20minimizing%20bias,control%20for%20r
eliability%20and%20reproducibility
What are the best ways to ensure an experiment is free of bias? (2023, December 26).
[Link]. [Link]
experiment-free-bias-skills-statistics-lxkse
3. Identify common methodological limitations observed in animal research studies.
One common methodological limitation observed in animal studies is that sample size in
most animal experiments is often small, potentially leading to significant baseline
differences. There is also a major issue that lies in the widespread lack of transparent
reporting in study design and implementation. Furthermore, there's mounting evidence
suggesting that animal models poorly predict drug safety in humans. Instances of human
harm in clinical drug testing, despite drugs being deemed safe in animal studies, highlight
this discrepancy. This raises serious concerns about the reliability and applicability of
animal models in drug safety assessment.
Ref: Baker, D., Lidster, K., Sottomayor, A., & Amor, S. (2014). Two years later: Journals are
not yet enforcing the ARRIVE guidelines on reporting standards for Pre-Clinical animal
studies. PLOS Biology, 12(1), e1001756. [Link]
Hooijmans, Carlijn & Rovers, Maroeska & de Vries, Rob & Leenaars, Marlies & Ritskes-
Hoitinga, Merel & Langendam, Miranda. (2014). SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool for animal
studies. BMC medical research methodology. 14. 43. 10.1186/1471-2288-14-43.
Van Norman G. A. (2019). Limitations of Animal Studies for Predicting Toxicity in Clinical
Trials: Is it Time to Rethink Our Current Approach?. JACC. Basic to translational science,
4(7), 845–854. [Link]
4. Discuss the potential consequences of these limitations on the reliability of and
interpretation of study findings.
Small sample size can potentially lead to significant baseline differences, hindering the
robustness and generalizability of findings. The lack of transparent reporting in study
design and implementation which undermines the credibility of pre-clinical animal
research, hindering its impact and inclusion in meta-analyses. Lastly, animal models as
poor predictor of drug safety in humans, raises serious concerns about the reliability and
applicability of animal models in drug safety assessment.
Ref: Baker, D., Lidster, K., Sottomayor, A., & Amor, S. (2014). Two years later: Journals are
not yet enforcing the ARRIVE guidelines on reporting standards for Pre-Clinical animal
studies. PLOS Biology, 12(1), e1001756. [Link]
Hooijmans, Carlijn & Rovers, Maroeska & de Vries, Rob & Leenaars, Marlies & Ritskes-
Hoitinga, Merel & Langendam, Miranda. (2014). SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool for animal
studies. BMC medical research methodology. 14. 43. 10.1186/1471-2288-14-43.
Van Norman G. A. (2019). Limitations of Animal Studies for Predicting Toxicity in Clinical
Trials: Is it Time to Rethink Our Current Approach?. JACC. Basic to translational science,
4(7), 845–854. [Link]
