Searching the Literature for Animal Testing Alternatives: A Tutorial: Step 3 : Select Databases
Tutorial for researching alternatives to animal research
Created by Health Science Librarians
Step 2: Select Databases
After constructing a good search question, the next most important step in literature searches is selecting the most appropriate databases.
When searching for animal research alternatives, it is very important to look in more than one database. The USDA's Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) identifies choosing just one database as a RED FLAG that may result in your problems with your search.
The following types of databases are commonly useful for animal alternatives literature searching, though there are many more available through the UNC Libraries:
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Recommended Research Databases - These research databases have been recommended by OLAW, AALECi, or similar organizations as being suitable for animal alternatives literature searching. Most are listed on UNC's IACUC form as suggested options.
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Specialized Alternatives Databases - Databases that contain materials specifically relevant to the reduction, refinement, and replacement of animals in laboratory research and teaching can be of particular utility to your literature search. These databases often include a broader range of useful resources than other databases, including videotapes and software packages in addition to peer-reviewed articles.
It is highly recommended by the Library that you choose both PubMed/MEDLINE or whichever other database is most relevant to your area of study or practice and at least one other resource in order to find a complete picture of possible alternatives.
General Information
Animal Alternatives Search Database Selection Guide
The UNC IACUC will require you to search at least two databases. This guide can help you select the most useful for your specific protocol.
Database Selection Tips
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Most researchers choose to start with PubMed or another broadly inclusive biomedical research database.
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Your additional databases can be a second biomedical research database, or focus on:
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a specific aspect of the protocol design,
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the animal model,
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other funded research.
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If there is a specific database relevant to the protocol topic or model, you should include it in your search.
Red Flag for Reviewers
- Animal Welfare Information Center (USDA AWIC) Red Flags
- Only 1 database searched
- Terms included only for painful aspects
- The term “alternative” used alone
- Keywords not relevant to the protocol
- Keywords and concepts linked incorrectly
- Inadequate time period searched (less than 5 years)
- Google Scholar IS NOT A RESEARCH DATABASE.
- Use it to find useful news, contacts or articles, and to further search for similar funded research projects, but do not rely on it for any kind of thorough research
- Its coverage is incomplete and includes many low-quality and predatory sources
- It is not acceptable as a research or alternatives database for the IACUC
Further Help
You are welcome to contact a science or health sciences librarian for assistance in selecting the most useful database for your protocol.
Broad Biomedical and Biological Science Databases
Broad Biomedical and Biological Science Databases
Choose a database that includes a very wide range of biomedical, biological and other disciplines.
- PubMedDatabase of biomedical literature from the National Library of Medicine covering journal articles about medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, biology and public health from 1950 to the present; multiple mobile apps available, provides access to MEDLINE, etc. Includes links to full text of UNC-CH's electronic journal subscriptions.
- BIOSIS Citation Index
- Citation and abstract database with access to many of the articles through the library
- Covers the area of life sciences research from 1926 to present
- Includes journals, books, reports, meetings, and patents
- Global HealthA public health database that provides information on international health, biomedical life sciences, non-communicable diseases, public health nutrition, food safety and hygiene. More than 2.6 million records from 1973 to the present day sourced from over 7,000 serials, books, book chapters, conference proceedings, patents, theses, electronic publications and other hard-to-find resources. Publications from over 100 countries in 52 languages. Over 185,000 records added each year.
- ScopusA large citation and abstracting database providing comprehensive coverage of the peer-reviewed journal and conference literature, with links to full-text where available through the library; includes scientific, technical, medical, social science and arts and humanities disciplines and indexes over 20,500 titles from more than 5,000 international publishers including over 340 book series. Like Web of Science, Scopus allows researchers to perform citation searches to see how many times a work has been cited, by whom, and to rank searches by times cited, for the period 1996 -present, as well as its curated index of over 375 scientific web pages and over 24 million patents.
- EmbaseHighly versatile, multipurpose and up-to-date biomedical database covering the most important international biomedical literature from 1947 to the present day. Supports drug discovery & development, pharmacovigilance, medical device development and post-market surveillance, and evidence-based medicine.
Databases by Protocol or Method Type
Education or Training Protocol
Is your protocol focused on classroom education or student training?
- InterNiche : the International Network for Humane Education Alternatives DatabaseNetwork of international veterinary and biological studies educators who research and support the use of alternatives to animal use in education; large site of alternative databases, studies, commentary, etc.
- NORINA Database: Audiovisual Alternatives to the Use of Animals in TeachingNORINA (A Norwegian Inventory of Alternatives) provides information on over 3800 audiovisual aids and other alternatives such as computer programs to the use of animals or animal products in teaching, at all levels from junior [elementary] school to university; from the Norwegian Reference Centre for Laboratory Animal Sciences & Alternatives.
Behavioral/Neuropsychological Protocol
Is your protocol focused on behavioral or neuropsychological research?
- PsycInfoDatabase from the American Psychological Association covering the academic research and practice literature in psychology and related disciplines (medicine, education, social work, etc.) from over 60 countries in more than 29 languages. It provides indexes to journals, dissertations, book chapters, books, technical reports, and other documents from 1887 to the present.
Toxicological or Pharmaceutical Protocol
Is your protocol focused on toxicological or pharmaceutical research?
- ALTBIB: Bibliography on Alternatives to the Use of Live Vertebrates in Biomedical Research and TestingBibliography to assist in identifying methods and procedures helpful in supporting the development, testing, application, and validation of alternatives to the use of vertebrates in biomedical research and toxicology testing; produced from MEDLARS database searches, performed and analyzed by subject experts from the Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program (TEHIP) of the Specialized Information Services Division (SIS) of the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
- ECOTOX: Ecotoxicology Database
- Resource for locating single chemical toxicity data for aquatic life, terrestrial plants and wildlife
- Created by the US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development (ORD)
- Site integrates three former resources; AQUIRE, PHYTOTOX, and TERRETOX
- Site strongly states that data found in its database should be checked against original work to understand context and ensure accurate understanding
- Limitations section further details for what is not included in resource
- EmbaseHighly versatile, multipurpose and up-to-date biomedical database covering the most important international biomedical literature from 1947 to the present day. Supports drug discovery & development, pharmacovigilance, medical device development and post-market surveillance, and evidence-based medicine.
- RTECSThe Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances contains critical toxicological information with citations for over 160,000 chemical substances; sources include international journals, textbooks, technical reports, scientific proceedings, compendia, and more.
Note: UNC-Chapel Hill Dept. of Environment, Health & Safety is the subscriber to this database. Please contact the Dept. if you have questions about the database or other items related to chemical hygiene.
Databases by Animal Model
Rodents & Other Small Mammals
Is your animal model a rodent or other animal commonly used in laboratory research?
- ALTBIB: Bibliography on Alternatives to the Use of Live Vertebrates in Biomedical Research and TestingBibliography to assist in identifying methods and procedures helpful in supporting the development, testing, application, and validation of alternatives to the use of vertebrates in biomedical research and toxicology testing; produced from MEDLARS database searches, performed and analyzed by subject experts from the Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program (TEHIP) of the Specialized Information Services Division (SIS) of the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
- BIOSIS Citation Index
- Citation and abstract database with access to many of the articles through the library
- Covers the area of life sciences research from 1926 to present
- Includes journals, books, reports, meetings, and patents
- ECOTOX: Ecotoxicology Database
- Resource for locating single chemical toxicity data for aquatic life, terrestrial plants and wildlife
- Created by the US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development (ORD)
- Site integrates three former resources; AQUIRE, PHYTOTOX, and TERRETOX
- Site strongly states that data found in its database should be checked against original work to understand context and ensure accurate understanding
- Limitations section further details for what is not included in resource
- Global HealthA public health database that provides information on international health, biomedical life sciences, non-communicable diseases, public health nutrition, food safety and hygiene. More than 2.6 million records from 1973 to the present day sourced from over 7,000 serials, books, book chapters, conference proceedings, patents, theses, electronic publications and other hard-to-find resources. Publications from over 100 countries in 52 languages. Over 185,000 records added each year.
- PubMedDatabase of biomedical literature from the National Library of Medicine covering journal articles about medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, biology and public health from 1950 to the present; multiple mobile apps available, provides access to MEDLINE, etc. Includes links to full text of UNC-CH's electronic journal subscriptions.
Primates
Is your animal model a non-human primate?
- Refinement and Enrichment DatabasesInformation on all aspects of species-appropriate housing and species-appropriate handling of animals in research laboratories; includes information for nonhuman primates, rodents, rabbits, cats, dogs, ferrets, farm animals, horses, birds, fishes, amphibians and reptiles.
- Zoological Record
- Citations and abstracts for journals, books, meeting proceedings, and reports in all major areas of zoology
- BIOSIS Citation Index
- Citation and abstract database with access to many of the articles through the library
- Covers the area of life sciences research from 1926 to present
- Includes journals, books, reports, meetings, and patents
Fish, Amphibians & Reptiles
Is your animal model aquatic, a reptile, or an amphibian?
- ECOTOX: Ecotoxicology Database
- Resource for locating single chemical toxicity data for aquatic life, terrestrial plants and wildlife
- Created by the US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development (ORD)
- Site integrates three former resources; AQUIRE, PHYTOTOX, and TERRETOX
- Site strongly states that data found in its database should be checked against original work to understand context and ensure accurate understanding
- Limitations section further details for what is not included in resource
Agricultural Animals & Fowl
Is your animal model an agricultural animal or fowl?
- AGRICOLAThe National Agriculture Library Catalog provides citations to literature in agriculture and allied disciplines, including veterinary sciences, entomology, aquaculture and fisheries, food and human nutrition, and environmental sciences. Site does not contain full text articles.
- Current Research Information System (CRIS/USDA)Database of documentation and reports for ongoing agricultural, food science, human nutrition, and forestry research, education and extension activities for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); a focus on the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant programs.
- BIOSIS Citation Index
- Citation and abstract database with access to many of the articles through the library
- Covers the area of life sciences research from 1926 to present
- Includes journals, books, reports, meetings, and patents
- Global HealthA public health database that provides information on international health, biomedical life sciences, non-communicable diseases, public health nutrition, food safety and hygiene. More than 2.6 million records from 1973 to the present day sourced from over 7,000 serials, books, book chapters, conference proceedings, patents, theses, electronic publications and other hard-to-find resources. Publications from over 100 countries in 52 languages. Over 185,000 records added each year.
Wildlife
Is your animal model considered wildlife?
- Zoological Record
- Citations and abstracts for journals, books, meeting proceedings, and reports in all major areas of zoology
- Global HealthA public health database that provides information on international health, biomedical life sciences, non-communicable diseases, public health nutrition, food safety and hygiene. More than 2.6 million records from 1973 to the present day sourced from over 7,000 serials, books, book chapters, conference proceedings, patents, theses, electronic publications and other hard-to-find resources. Publications from over 100 countries in 52 languages. Over 185,000 records added each year.
Databases based on the Alternatives and 3Rs Focused Resources
Animal Alternatives Resources
Find discussion and research about alternatives and the 3Rs:
- Refinement and Enrichment DatabasesInformation on all aspects of species-appropriate housing and species-appropriate handling of animals in research laboratories; includes information for nonhuman primates, rodents, rabbits, cats, dogs, ferrets, farm animals, horses, birds, fishes, amphibians and reptiles.
- ALTBIB: Bibliography on Alternatives to the Use of Live Vertebrates in Biomedical Research and TestingBibliography to assist in identifying methods and procedures helpful in supporting the development, testing, application, and validation of alternatives to the use of vertebrates in biomedical research and toxicology testing; produced from MEDLARS database searches, performed and analyzed by subject experts from the Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program (TEHIP) of the Specialized Information Services Division (SIS) of the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
- NORINA Database: Audiovisual Alternatives to the Use of Animals in TeachingNORINA (A Norwegian Inventory of Alternatives) provides information on over 3800 audiovisual aids and other alternatives such as computer programs to the use of animals or animal products in teaching, at all levels from junior [elementary] school to university; from the Norwegian Reference Centre for Laboratory Animal Sciences & Alternatives.
- Resources for Improving the Welfare of Animals in LaboratoriesThe Animal Welfare Institute provides a number of resources for individuals working with animals in laboratories to help improve and safeguard their welfare.
- AltwebGateway to animal research alternatives news, information, and resources on the Internet and beyond for the most commonly used laboratory animals, including: rats, mice, primates, dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs, guinea pigs, birds, sheep, fish, and exotic species.
- NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological MethodsResource for new, revised, and alternative methods to identify potential hazards to human health and the environment, with a focus on replacing, reducing, or refining animal use.
- Netherlands Centre Alternatives to Animal Use DatabaseThe central point in the Netherlands for coordinating research and disseminating information on alternatives to animal experiments. The NCA is part of the Department for Animals, Science & Society of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine within Utrecht University. Research towards alternatives to animal use is financed through the Programme 'Alternatives to Animal Experiments' of ZonMw.Abstracts of alternatives studies that were financed through ZonMw are published in the NCA Newsletter. This database allows you to search for specific studies funded by ZonMw (Source: vendor website).
- InterNiche : the International Network for Humane Education Alternatives DatabaseNetwork of international veterinary and biological studies educators who research and support the use of alternatives to animal use in education; large site of alternative databases, studies, commentary, etc.
- European Union Reference Laboratory for alternatives to animal testing (EURL-ECVAM)Large European site dedicated to alternatives searching and resources
Funded Research Project Databases
- Current Research Information System (CRIS/USDA)Database of documentation and reports for ongoing agricultural, food science, human nutrition, and forestry research, education and extension activities for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); a focus on the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant programs.
- NIH RePORTERRegistry of funded grants from from NIH, SAMHSA, HRSA, FDA, CDC, AHRQ and VA; includes both past grants and the details of ongoing research.
- NSF Awards SearchSearch a database of official National Science Foundation awards past and present for information about research projects and outcomes.
Database Searching Tutorials Sources
There are many tutorials available to aid in searching specific databases. The following are only some of those that may be found; there are often more available through the database home help screens.
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