Experimental Design and Statistics Training in Select Canadian Graduate Programs at U15 Universities

Animal experiments have made significant contributions to medical advances. However, there is increasing awareness in the scientific community that animal studies are not always carried out with utmost efficiency. When study design is suboptimal and/or errors are made, there is a risk that incorrect conclusions are drawn, and that time, money, and animal lives are wasted. In an effort to ultimately contribute to improved efficiencies, reduced errors, and reduced animal use, our project looks at one aspect of how investigators are trained. Specifically, we investigate what courses on experimental design and statistics are required and available to students enrolled in graduate programs in a small selection of disciplines at the top 15 research-intensive universities in Canada. Our work will help organizations such as the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) in their efforts to develop and implement evidence-based guidelines and policies for the use of animals in Canadian scientific research.

Faculty Supervisor:

Phyllis Paterson

Student:

Partner:

Canadian Council on Animal Care

Discipline:

Mathematics

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Life Sciences (not health); Education

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program: