Animal Research Ethics: Assessment Questions

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* 1. Please provide your name, surname and UFS student/staff number.

Section 1: 12 R's of Animal Research

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* 2. Which of the following best describes a key ethical responsibility of researchers conducting animal experiments?

To prioritise rapid results over animal welfare

To use animals only when no viable alternatives exist and to minimise pain and distress

To conduct experiments without oversight if the research is important

To use as many animals as possible to ensure statistical significance

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* 3. In South Africa, the ethical and legal framework for animal research is characterised by:

A single law that governs all aspects of animal research

Minimal regulations allowing researchers full discretion

A complex system incorporating more than 17 laws and regulations to ensure ethical conduct and animal welfare

Only international guidelines without national legal requirements

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* 4. According to the National Health Act and NHREC guidelines in South Africa, which of the following is TRUE regarding animal research ethics oversight?

Any institution conducting animal research must have access to a registered Animal Research Ethics Committee (AREC), and all ARECs must be registered with the NHREC.

Animal research institutions can operate without ethics committee oversight if they only follow international guidelines.

The South African Bureau of Standards’ SANS 10386 is optional and not required for animal research ethics compliance.

NHREC guidelines apply only to human health research and do not cover animal research activities.

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* 5. Which of the following best describes the principle of Refine in the 3R’s of animal research ethics?

Using non-sentient alternatives such as computer models instead of animals

Using the minimum number of animals necessary to achieve valid results

Improving animal welfare by minimising pain, distress, and optimising living conditions during the study

Rejecting study protocols that do not justify harm to animals

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* 6. What does the Reduction principle in ethical animal research primarily aim to achieve?

Replace animals with non-animal alternatives whenever possible

Limit the number of animals used to the minimum needed for scientifically valid results

Enhance animal welfare by minimising pain and distress during studies

Ensure that study protocols are rejected if they cause unjustified harm to animals

Section 2: Regulatory aspects of animal research

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* 7. What is the official online application system currently used by the University of the Free State (UFS) for AREC submissions?

UFS Portal

REDCap

RIMS

SAGE

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* 8. If the AREC places a study in ‘modifications held over’ status, which of the following is TRUE?

The researcher may ignore the modifications

The application must be discussed again at a full AREC meeting

The application does not need to be discussed again at a meeting

The application is approved with conditions

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* 9. How long is AREC approval valid after the final approval letter is issued?

Three calendar years

Two calendar years

One calendar year

Six months

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* 10. Which of the following is NOT a possible outcome for an AREC application?

Final approval

Conditional approval

Provisional acceptance

Modifications required

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* 11. What must a researcher do if their application is rejected by the AREC?

Submit a summary of changes template

Submit a new application after making substantial changes

Wait for the AREC to contact them

Appeal the decision directly to the UFS Vice-Rector: Research and Internationalisation

Section 3: I want to do research on animals: do I need AREC approval?

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* 12. Which group of animals is specifically highlighted as requiring very special considerations before research can commence?

Farm animals

Non-human primates

Lower invertebrates

Amphibians

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* 13. At what developmental stage are mammals and birds considered ‘live animals’ according to the South African National Standard?

From the time they become capable of independent feeding

From halfway through gestation or incubation

From fertilisation

From birth or hatching

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* 14. Which of the following studies would require an animal ethics application?

Observational study using camera traps on wild mammals

Experimental trial involving live laboratory rodents

Using tissue samples from animals that are already dead (e.g., abattoir samples)

All of the options

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* 15. If a researcher is only using existing animal data from a closed or privately owned database, what is the recommended action regarding animal ethics approval?

Contact the RIMS office for assistance

Apply for ethics approval

Apply for a waiver from the animal research ethics committee

No ethics approval is needed

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* 16. Who should you contact for RIMS-related issues such as password problems or upload issues during the animal research ethics application process?

The South African National Standards Office

The RIMS Office

The current chair of the committee

The administrative office of the Animal Research Ethics Committee

A minimum score of 70% is required to pass. If you achieve less than 70%, kindly retake the quiz to ensure successful completion.

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