Online Tool for Setting Metrics to Assess Animal Wellbeing
We currently have a paper based template system to set and document metrics
for assessing animal wellbeing.
As a regulatory requirement, these documents must be submitted and approved
for any science study involving animals at UWA, but the current
template process is labour intensive and clumsy.
The templates have to be customised to suit the particular project and species.
It is a series of rubric type templates and user must select key behavioural categories
for the species (e.g. activity) and then manually enter appropriate descriptors for the
associated numerical rating scale (e.g. normal activity (0) , decreased
activity (1), no activity (2)).
Some users can occasionally `cut and paste' from previous example rubrics.
Some of descriptors can be quite complex.
The cumulative ratings scores are then added to a further "actions" template
with associated further required observations and actions.
Finally, the selected behavioural categories have to be transposed to another
"recording sheet" with table of assessment intervals and measurement time points.
The task would be to create a system based on the templates which would automate
much of the process and generate a series of documents for submission for
approval and use in project.
Desired features are:
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Easy to use interface.
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Customisable template with ability to select from prepopulated descriptors via selection menus for standard criteria and descriptors (e.g. drop down or other menu option.)
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Option to add personalised categories and ratings for specific projects.
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Ongoing flexibility to modify and add new content to categories and descriptors, or species (?upload from excel spreadsheet). New content will be added by veterinary staff.
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Auto-populate to supporting documents i.e. action and recording sheet with added project /user details.
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Ultimately, print as set of sheets or download (document, excel spreadsheet).
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Potential for future move to use of IPad/ tablet for recording assessments.
Client
Contact Person: Deirdre Bourke, Animal Welfare & Veterinary Advisor
Telephone:08 6488 4700
Email: [email protected]
Preferred method of contact: E-mail
Location: Research Ethics and Integrity, NWAdmin Building (Beside Sunken Garden)
IP Exploitation Model
The client wishes to use a Creative Commons CC BY-NC model to deal with IP embodied in the project.