13 November: Experimental Design for Open and Reproducible Research: NC3Rs Experimental Design Assistant (EDA)

Content overview

This course covers how to use, and teach others to use, the Experimental Design Assistant (EDA), with a focus on open and reproducible animal research. The EDA is an online tool to help researchers design rigorous animal experiments and produce meaningful data that adds to the scientific knowledge base, using the minimum number of animals.

Topics include:

  • Using the EDA to improve experimental rigour and design experiments using the fewest number of animals.
  • Tips on targeting and developing an EDA training session.
  • Hands-on experience of planning an experiment in the EDA.
  • Troubleshooting to help you train other researchers to use the EDA.

Training type

This is a train-the-trainer course. It does not include a section on pedagogy, but the sessions will build your knowledge and confidence, preparing you to share best practice locally.

Learning objectives

By the end of this training, the participant will be able to:

  • Use the EDA to represent in vivo experiments that facilitate open and reproducible research using the fewest number of animals.
  • Understand common problems researchers come across using the EDA and how to resolve them.
  • Identify the audience and objectives for EDA training sessions.
  • Show other researchers how to the use the EDA to improve the reproducibility of their experiments and reduce animal use in research.
  • Implement feedback from the EDA to improve experimental design.

Completion criteria

    Attendance in full for the duration of the session.

      Audience

      Researchers, technicians, and all others involved in designing animal experiments and/or reviewing experimental design in colleagues’ or students’ work.

      Level (Introduction, intermediate, advanced)

      Introduction

      Prerequisite skills, expertise and experience

      Suitable for beginners; no prerequisite skills, experience, or knowledge required.

      Overall likely time commitment

        The session will last approximately six hours, including breaks, all of which is attendance at the session.

        Event date and time

        Thursday 13 November 2025, 10:00 – 16:00, online

          Registration deadline

          Wednesday 17 September 2025

          Training partner

          Esther Pearl (NC3Rs Programme Manager – Experimental Design)

          Location

          Online

          Cost

          Free

          Number of attendees

          Minimum 12, Maximum 40

          Evaluation methods (both course and UKRN)

          NC3Rs will request feedback in-session, a UKRN evaluation will be delivered 1- and 6-months post-course.

          Application

          For information about how to apply, please contact your institution’s Open Research Coordinator and Administrator (linked via this page).

          For specific course content queries: dasmith@rvc.ac.uk

          For general information regarding the UKRN ORP training, please contact: elle.chilton-knight@bristol.ac.uk