Behavioural experiments

Methods and Welfare Considerations in Behavioural Research with Animals

This handbook is useful to the researcher who is considering different methodologies for behavioural experiments. The report contains chapters on manipulation of access to food or fluids; experimental enclosures/physical restraint; pharmacological studies; aversive stimuli; social variables; ethological approaches; and teaching with animals. An introductory chapter reviews the contributions of behavioural research to understanding a variety of medical and psychological problems, such as stress, cognitive deficits with ageing, behavioural problems stemming from early deprivations, sleep disorders and pain. www.nimh.nih.gov/researchfunding/animals.cfm

Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in the Care and Use of Animals

Developed by the American Psychological Association's Committee on Animal Research and Ethics (CARE) for use by psychologists working with non-human animals. http://www.apa.org/science/anguide.html

Guidelines for the Care and Use of Mammals in Neuroscience and Behavioural Research

This new book provides current best practices for animal care and use and discusses how the regulations and guidelines can be applied to neuroscience and behavioural research. The book treats the development, evaluation, and implementation of animal-use protocols as a decision-making process, not just a decision. It encourages the use of professional judgment and careful interpretation of regulations and guidelines to develop performance standards that ensure animal well-being and high-quality research.

Material covered includes ethical considerations, protocol development strategies including pilot studies, sample size, pain and distress and humane endpoints, prolonged survival studies, studies of neural injury and disease, and perinatal and behavioural studies.

Copies may be purchased from National Academies Press.