Module 4

Reduction and Refinement in Scientific Research

Competency:

Apply the principles of reduction and refinement to animal testing

Learning Objectives:

  • Define the 3Rs Principles of replacement and refinement
  • Describe the benefits of reducing the number of animals used in research
  • Identify the importance of sample size selection when applying the principle of reduction
  • Apply the resource equation to experimental sample size calculations
  • Summarize examples of refinement in experimentation
  • Describe how refinement can be applied to make experiments more humane in cases where animal use cannot be avoided.

Assessment:

Monkey House Project Case Study

  • Apply reduction and refinement to an animal-based drug study design
  • Calculate an ideal sample size for the case study design using the resource equation
  • Identify ways to refine the experimental design to enhance animal welfare

Linked External Standards:

NGSS
HS-ETS1-1 Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.

HS-ETS1-3 Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts

CCSS – ELA
RST.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem.

CCSS – Math
HSS.IC.A.1:Understand statistics as a process for making inferences about population parameters based on a random sample from that population.

HSA.CED.A.3: Represent constraints by equations or inequalities, and by systems of equations and/or inequalities, and interpret solutions as viable or nonviable options in a modeling context.