The Design and Statistical Analysis of Animal Experiments

This book will provide scientists with a better understanding of statistics, improving their decision-making and reducing animal use.

Simon T. Bate (Author), Robin A. Clark (Author)

9781107030787, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 March 2014

324 pages, 227 b/w illus. 87 tables
24.6 x 18.5 x 2 cm, 0.88 kg

'This book will transform the way biomedical scientists plan their work and interpret their results. Although the subject matter covers complex points, it is easy to read and packed with relevant examples. There are two particularly striking features. First, at no point do the authors resort to mathematical equations as a substitute for explaining the concepts. Secondly, they explain why the choice of experimental design is so important, why the design affects the statistical analysis and how to ensure the choice of the most appropriate statistical test. The final section describes how to use InvivoStat (a software package, assembled by the authors), which enables researchers to put into practice all the points covered in this book. This is an invaluable combination of resources that should be within easy reach of anyone carrying out experiments in the biomedical sciences, especially if their work involves using live animals.' Clare Stanford, University College London

Written for animal researchers, this book provides a comprehensive guide to the design and statistical analysis of animal experiments. It has long been recognised that the proper implementation of these techniques helps reduce the number of animals needed. By using real-life examples to make them more accessible, this book explains the statistical tools employed by practitioners. A wide range of design types are considered, including block, factorial, nested, cross-over, dose-escalation and repeated measures and techniques are introduced to analyse the experimental data generated. Each analysis technique is described in non-mathematical terms, helping readers without a statistical background to understand key techniques such as t-tests, ANOVA, repeated measures, analysis of covariance, multiple comparison tests, non-parametric and survival analysis. This is also the first text to describe technical aspects of InVivoStat, a powerful open-source software package developed by the authors to enable animal researchers to analyse their data and obtain informative results.

Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
2. Statistical concepts
3. Experimental design
4. Randomisation
5. Statistical analysis
6. Analysis using InVivoStat
7. Conclusion
Glossary
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Mathematical & statistical software [UFM], Animal behaviour [PSVP], Biology, life sciences [PS], Scientific equipment, experiments & techniques [PDN], Probability & statistics [PBT]