This site provides information on the performance of a database search. According to USDA, APHIS, Animal Care Policy #12, "APHIS continues to recommend a database search as the most effective and efficient method for demonstrating compliance with the requirement to consider alternatives to painful/distressful procedures."
Literature Searching and Databases
Spotlights
Why Conduct Literature Searches for Alternatives?USDA. NAL. Animal Welfare Information Center.
Article reviews the legislation, rationale, and benefits of the alternatives literature search.
AC Policy 12: Consideration of Alternatives to Painful/Distressful ProceduresUSDA. APHIS. Animal Care.
Provides guidance on the animal welfare regulations requirement to provide a written narrative of the consideration of alternatives to painful and distressful procedures.
Searching for 3Rs Information - Published Literature Sources (PDF | 285KB)Information Managers in the Pharmaceutical Industry.
A 2002 document with information on core 3Rs journals, database details, a list of useful keywords, and an example of a search strategy.
Guide to Searching for Alternatives to the Use of Laboratory AnimalsFund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments.
A FRAME guide to literature searching, including terms, strategies, and links to useful information on the internet.
Search for Alternatives: A Step-by-Step Approach to an Alternatives SearchAltweb.
Developed by the Altweb Project Team, this website provides information on databases, policies and regulations, and sample searches.
Three Rs Search GuideCanadian Council on Animal Care.
Provides detailed instructions on how to conduct a 3Rs information search, including questions to assess if your 3Rs search is complete.
Current Status and Future Developments of Databases on Alternative Methods (PDF | 93 KB)Altweb.
A 1998 international report from ECVAM [now EURL ECVAM] that lists factual databases related to alternatives, what they offer, lack, and recommendations for improvements.
