Realistic cost estimates are essential, along with agreement on who is to carry any additional expenses if they arise despite this process.
5-Objectives and timescale, funding and division of labour
Scientists should take time to write a good lay summary (Non-Technical Summary, NTS), describing the objectives and underlying rationale of the study. This helps non-scientists, animal carers and animal technologists to understand the need for the study, and assists the ethical review process.
Collaboration with animal care staff from the earliest stages of planning an animal study is crucial, to avoid problems and misunderstandings later.
Many research studies are labour-intensive at specific times, for example during substance administration, sampling, surgery and necropsy. A clear division of labour, costs and responsibility between the facility staff and research group must be planned and appropriately timetabled before the study starts.
5c
Discuss and disclose all expected and potential costs.
General principles
For fish researchers