Exploring how the reporting of methods in studies using mouse models of breast or prostate cancer influences perceptions of model replicability.

Personal position statements: Louise Saul has spent several years working as a laboratory researcher for oncoimmunological research. She now works as an Open Research Coordinator for the UK Reproducibility Network Anna Korzeniowska has worked as an Open Research Coordinator for the UK Reproducibility Network, and has experience as in companion animal behavioural psychology research, as well as experience in teaching animal husbandry and care. Proposed study protocol: The potential for replicability of an experiment is vital for trustworthy research and to verify claims made when publishing the research. Data rich contents of the methods sections of manuscripts are essential for replicability. This is a moral imperative when considering experimental animal research undertaken in accordance with ASPA and for compliance with the 3Rs initiative. We propose that we survey a selection of researchers currently working in the field of oncology, with a focus on researchers working in breast and/or prostate cancer, to determine which parts of the experimental methodology of mouse solid tumour models should reasonably be included in the methods sections of published manuscripts. The participants will be individuals with current or previous experience in using animal models, who will be recruited via their current involvement with a working group which aligns with promotion of the 3Rs in animal research. We propose that the link to the survey is circulated to the researchers, predominantly UK based but including global participants, asking them to participate in the research. We will state in the participant information sheet that we would prefer for participants to be currently actively involved in experimental animal research or have previously been involved in experimental animal research. As per Deutsch et al (2021) (https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250362) we hope to recruit over a hundred participants. The survey will ask the researcher to rate on a scale of 1-5 the importance of various factors, that we have identified from a literature review, as being relevant to the replicability of breast/prostate cancer solid tumour mouse models. We will then ask the participants some information about their career status, involvement in replicability studies, and their institution type. This will enable further analysis to see if the focus for replication changes over career stage or institution type. It will help us to understand to what degree replication is considered important for people currently undertaking animal research. This will allow us to conduct a follow-up study of a thorough meta-analysis of previously published works to determine if the factors that have been considered essential for replicability and trustworthiness are included in a selection of manuscripts focusing on breast or prostate mouse models published in the last 5 years.