Searching the Literature for Animal Testing Alternatives: A Tutorial: Steps in the Search

As a laboratory researcher, you are fully aware that all research follows definable steps from beginning to end. Literature research is also based on the "scientific method":

Throughout the process, you must manage your search process and its results.

1) Manage Your Results

• Record your search process
• Organize and store your resulting literature citations
  • Suggested methods : Citation manager (RefWorks, Endnote, Zotero), Excel, etc 

2) Choose Keywords to Form the Search Question

• Write list of all Category D or E procedures/situations in your protocol
• Develop lists of keywords based upon your protocol and the 3 R's

3) Select & Search a Database

• Select your most appropriate databases
• You will need to search more than one database

4) Construct & Run the Search Query

• Organize your keywords into a search query or statement
  • These may need to be adjusted for specific databases with different requirements; each variation should be recorded
• Record this strategy - it is required for your application

5) Evaluate Your Search 

• Review and evaluate your search results - did you find an adequate search result?
• If you did not, try again with different words or in a different database

6) Report Your Results

• Provide a written narrative of your results appropriate to your protocol and sources
• Describe each search performed