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Resources in Animal Alternative Models
This guide is designed to serve as a starting point for locating information on any topic in the field of animal testing alternatives.
Core Databases
How do I get started on my research?
- Identify keywords or phrases that describe your research topic.
Before you begin searching in a database, it is helpful to write down keywords or phrases that describe your topic. In some cases, you may find it helpful to use indexing terminology, like the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) in PubMed at UCLA. Indexing terminology allows you to search for literature using the subject headings that have been assigned to particular resources. This ensures a focused search.
Each database will use different indexing terminology. Check to see if the database(s) you are searching include a thesaurus. For example, in PubMed you will find a link to the MeSH Database. Remember, you are looking for ways to describe the three R’s: replacement, reduction, and refinement.
Examples of indexing terminology:
- acute toxicity tests (MeSH)
- animal testing alternatives (MeSH)
- animal use alternatives (MeSH)
- animal welfare (MeSH, BIOSIS Previews)
- handling (BIOSIS Previews)
- housing (BIOSIS Previews)
- models, animal (MeSH)
- pain (BIOSIS Previews)
- skin irritancy tests (MeSH)
Keywords might include:
- names of specific animal models
- species being used
- organ systems
- names of hormones, enzymes, or pharmaceuticals
- names of specific procedures or tests
- Select databases and resources that seem like they would have literature about your topic.
Use the databases and internet resources listed above for your topic. You will notice that databases index literature in specific subject area. For example, PubMed primarily indexes literature about medicine and other health sciences, BIOSIS Previews about life sciences, and PsycINFO about psychology.
Why should I use more than one database?
An animal alternatives search should be comprehensive. No one single database or resource will include all the information that you will need. Although there may be some overlap in resources, since each database focuses more heavily on a particular discipline, you will find different resources in each database.
- What do I do if I get too many results?
- Add more and/or unique terms to your search. For example, instead of searching for “mice AND housing” consider replacing housing with “cage,” which is a type of housing.
- Check to see if there are limit options, such as date. Be careful; remember that you want your search to be comprehensive, so applying too many limits may result in missing important literature.
- What do I do if I get too few results?
- Make sure you have not misspelled terminology.
- Generally, more keywords equals a more limited search. Try eliminating concepts.
- Use the database’s thesaurus to find different terminology for your concepts.
- Use truncation, which allows you to find words with different spelling variations (e.g., color and colour) or with different endings (e.g., plural). Databases often use a particular truncation symbol; check the database you are using to see what its symbol is. For example, the truncation symbol in PubMed is *. Typing "anesthe*" would find anesthesia, anesthesiology, etc.
- Some databases have links to related articles. Use that link to locate literature that will be similar to what you have already found.
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