research methods - animal research

• 1)     Studying genes: genetic problems can cause abnormalities in humans, so animals have often been used to test the effect of gens in the development of abnormalities.
• Studying the CNS: rats have been used in investigations of the effects of certain drugs on the CNS as researchers can observe changes in the number of synapses, amount of synaptic transmission and the changes in brain structures, which could not be done with humans.
• Studying brain structures: animals are often used in lesion studies when a part of the brain is deliberately removed or damaged. By comparing these brain damaged animals with a control group with fully functioning brains, we can try to learn which parts of the brain control which type of behaviour.
• strength is that animals are often more practical to use in experiments because their behaviour can be monitored closely in controlled situations over long periods of time, which allows experimenters to reduce extraneous variables e.g., skinners box.
• weakness is that human participants can provide qualitative data e.g., their thoughts, opinions and emotions during a laboratory experiment that cannot be measured in animal studies are limited in what they can tell us about the causes of behaviour.
• A weakness is there are considerable differences between the physiology of humans and other animals e.g., humans have a much larger cortex. This means that we cannot easily generalise the results from animals to humans.
• Strength is that animals such are rats and mice breed quickly. This means that we can create large samples of participants and can more easily investigate the heritability of conditions than we can in humans.
• The British psychology society states that permission to perform any animal procedures covered by this act will only be granted if the researcher can demonstrate that the benefit of the research outweigh the cost to the animal. The researcher must also show that consideration has been given to the three R’s:

  o   Replacing animals with alternatives whenever possible.

  o   Reducing the number of animals used.

  o   Refining procedures to minimise suffering.
• Anyone carrying out research on animals is required to have a personal licence, which is only given after training to ensure they are competent in their procedures. They are also required to minimise any pain, suffering or distress.

  Any animal research project e.g., at a university, must also have a project licence that states the species involved and the number of animals being used. This is only granted if the researcher can demonstrate the benefits of the project outweigh the costs.