Feedback

We welcome feedback from users on their experiences and suggestions on how the site and the web application could be improved.

The EDA website and web-app were developed as an NC3Rs-led collaboration between an expert working group of in vivo researchers and statisticians, and a team of software designers who specialise in innovative solutions for the life sciences.

The ontology and grammar used in the diagrams were developed using an iterative approach and tested using a wide range of experimental plans from the published literature. Before it was launched, the EDA underwent two formal phases of user testing, where NC3Rs grant holders and other contacts were tasked with designing an experiment in the EDA and answering specific questions.

The development of the rule set, which underlies the feedback feature (Critique and Analysis Suggestion functionalities), was informed by workshops with the working group where EDA diagrams representing examples of flawed experimental designs were discussed and analysed. In particular, the group identified what information a statistician would need to have in order to offer the best advice on the design and what information the statistician would feedback to the researcher to help them identify the requested information, or improve the design. This information was then organised in a rule set, consisting of prompts (either asking for more information or providing advice) and triggers (which define specific situations where the prompt should be displayed). The rule set undergoes automated checks daily to ensure that further development of the system does not impact on the behaviour of existing rules that have been previously tested and implemented.

We intend to build on the EDA to support a wide range of experimental designs and ensure users benefit as much as possible from the system.

We would also like to encourage users to tell us about the quality of the feedback they obtain from the system. This will support the process of continual improvement to which we are committed.

To provide feedback please contact the NC3Rs:

Email: eda@nc3rs.org.uk | Tel: 020 7611 2233