IACUC searching for alternatives: Step 2: Search Terms

Once you've decided where to search, think about the main topics or concepts of your protocol for search terms.   Here are some search terms to that you should include:

• the specific names of all procedures, surgeries, drugs, and/or hazardous agents that may cause more than momentary pain or distress

• species

• specific condition, disease, hormones, treatment, particularly those associated with pain and distress.

• reduction, refinement, replacement, alternative, non-animal model.

• synonyms for each term, for example

  • monitor or evaluate or supervise

  • technique or method or procedure (or synonyms for specific techniques)

  • housing or facility or caging

  • trapping or mist net or leg loop (include specific techniques)

  • equine or horse or Equus ferus caballus

To see a list of keywords provided by the National Agricultural Library, please visit their guide to searching the literature for alternatives.  The list is available in an expandable menu in Step 3.

Next, you'll search using these terms.  Web of Science, CAB Abstracts, PubMed, and Wildlife & Ecology Studies Worldwide  are all recommended.  You can find tips on searching each database next.