Animal-based research is a vital component of both basic and preclinical studies, yet it presents unique challenges in terms of experimental design. One of the key considerations in this context is adhering to the principles of the 3Rs: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement, which form the ethical framework for humane animal-based research. Nevertheless, many researchers encounter difficulties when navigating the necessary trade-offs to minimize animal usage while ensuring the scientific rigor and reliability of their studies.
‘A Guide to Sample Size for Animal-based Studies’ addresses this challenge by providing a comprehensive and accessible reference on the subject. This book offers a systematic approach to ‘rightsizing’ animal-based experiments, offering sample size estimates grounded in the fundamental principles of statistical thinking. It emphasizes structured research questions, controlling for variation, and designing experiments appropriately, resulting in a valuable resource for planning animal-based studies that yield scientifically valid and dependable results.
Key features of this book include:
Step-by-step guidance on various methods for estimating and refining sample sizes.
In-depth coverage of research topics specific to animal-based research, encompassing pilot studies, feasibility assessments, and proof-of-concept investigations.
Sample size estimation techniques for various data types, such as binary, continuous, ordinal, and time-to-event data, as well as different study types including descriptive, comparative, nested designs, reference interval construction, and dose-response studies.
Numerous real-world examples, utilizing data from published research papers, accompanied by practical SAS and R code.
‘A Guide to Sample Size for Animal-based Studies’ is an indispensable reference for preclinical and veterinary researchers, as well as for ethical oversight committees and policymakers
