research animals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "research animals" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to animals that are used in scientific research. For example, "The lab had a number of research animals, including chickens, mice, and rabbits."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But in the US, the largest user of research animals - more than 17 million according to the researchers' estimate - official figures do not include mice, rats, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians.

The Guardian

The case led to federal reforms that improved life for research animals.

The New York Times - Food

A good-faith effort to better the welfare of research animals should really focus on education.

Nature

The FDA actions represent the latest change in how the federal government treats research animals.

The Washington Post

Skeleton crews are monitoring NIH laboratory experiments and caring for research animals.

The Washington Post

But the chimps lose their value as research animals by the time they reach about four years of age.

The New York Times - Science

Until now, the act was interpreted by the government as applying to large animals like dogs, cats and monkeys, but not to the most commonly used research animals.

The New York Times

Dr. Gesell was a pioneer in the compassionate treatment of research animals and helped his daughter shape the Animal Welfare Institute and its guiding principles.

The New York Times

One day, her mother confided to her that her father's nervousness had begun when he accidentally injected himself with something intended for research animals.

The Guardian

His father is the chairman and chief executive of Charles River Laboratories, a company in Wilmington, Mass., that provides research animals and biomedical products to pharmaceutical companies.

The New York Times

The facility must keep the research animals free of disease, stress, and injury in a safe, comfortable, and wholesome environment.

Planning and Designing Research Animal Facilities

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use person-neutral language when describing research involving animals. Instead of saying "scientists use," say "researchers use" to maintain an unbiased tone.

Common error

Avoid using "research animals" as a blanket term without considering the ethical implications or specific regulations that apply to different species. Understand that the term is not applicable for animal testing outside the approved and strictly regulated lab environments. Use context-dependent alternatives, as appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "research animals" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying animals used for scientific investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely applicable in various contexts. Examples show it referring to various species used in different experiments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "research animals" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase referring to animals used in scientific research. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely applicable, appearing most frequently in scientific, news, and academic contexts. Ethical considerations and specific species identification are important aspects to consider when using this term. Alternative phrases like "laboratory animals" or "animal models" can offer more specific connotations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laboratory animals

Replaces "research" with "laboratory", emphasizing the controlled environment where the animals are kept.

animal research subjects

Combines elements of the original phrase with "subjects" for clarity.

animals in research

Reorders the words to emphasize the activity of research.

animal models

Focuses on the role of the animals as models for studying biological processes or diseases.

experimental animals

Highlights the use of animals in experiments, emphasizing the scientific procedure.

animals used in research

Adds a verb to clarify the purpose of the animals' involvement.

study animals

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the act of studying the animals.

test subjects

Shifts the focus to the animals as subjects of testing, common in experimental settings.

animals for experimentation

Emphasizes the purpose of using animals for experimentation.

specimen animals

Refers to animals used as specimens for scientific examination.

FAQs

How are "research animals" used in scientific studies?

"Research animals" are used to study diseases, test new treatments, and advance scientific knowledge. They serve as models to understand biological processes and the effects of various interventions.

What ethical considerations surround the use of "research animals"?

Ethical considerations include minimizing pain and distress, using the fewest animals possible, and ensuring that the research is justified by its potential benefits. Regulations and guidelines exist to promote humane treatment.

What are some alternatives to using "research animals"?

Alternatives include in vitro studies (using cells or tissues), computer modeling, and advanced imaging techniques. These methods can reduce the reliance on animal testing in certain areas of research.

What's the difference between "animal models" and "research animals"?

"Animal models" specifically refers to animals that mimic certain aspects of human diseases or conditions and are used to study them. "Research animals" is a broader term that includes all animals used in scientific research, regardless of whether they are models of a specific disease.