Both tools require you to register for an account. Read getting started for more information.

The system makes it easy for your team to collaborate. For both tools, one user will finalise and submit the answers. This is the lead-user, most likely a principal investigator if using the Research Group Tool, or a senior member of staff such as the Chair of the local ethics committee (e.g. the AWERB) if using the tool for Research Institutions.

The lead-user can invite others to help answer the questions. These are the sub-users, who may be members of the lead-user’s research group or the AWERB if using the Research Institution tool.

The lead-user registers for an account, then invites sub-users to join. Sub-users work through the questions, providing suggested answers and comments. The system collates these for the lead-user, who submits final answers based on this information.

Data provided by sub-users during the completion of the self-assessments can be accessed by the lead-user of that account. Data provided by the lead-user in response can be accessed by sub-users within the account. To protect personal data, and confidential and commercially sensitive information (such as intellectual property), users should avoid including such information in the comments. Sub-users should take this into account when providing comments to the lead-user, and lead-users should be mindful of this when reviewing collated information. If such data is identified this can be deleted by the lead user.

Data submitted as part of the registration process can be accessed by NC3Rs system administrators. Personal and Identifiable data is required as part of the registration process and is managed in line with current UK data protection legislation and best practice in managing personal data.

The NC3Rs cannot access any data submitted as part of the self-assessment process where the institution or individual can be identified (assuming that all users apply best practice in managing personal data). The NC3Rs can access certain data provided by lead-users where they have submitted free text answers for analysis. The source of this data is anonymised, but the NC3Rs cannot control for identifiable data included within the free text provided by the lead-user.

Please see our privacy notice for more information.

The information submitted for assessment by the lead-user will be analysed within the system to provide scores and feedback to the lead-user. The NC3Rs can only access anonymised scores averaged across all accounts in the system. Free text answers provided through the tools may be used for the purposes of managing, evaluating and developing the tools.

As the software developer and Data Processor, Wubbleyou Ltd. supports the NC3Rs in providing the self-assessment tools, administers the system and ensures its security. For this reason, Wubbleyou Ltd. has access to the same personal information as the NC3Rs. Wubbleyou Ltd will process all Personal and Identifiable data in line with current UK data protection legislation and best practice in managing personal data.

You should use the following format: 3Rs Self-Assessment Tools, version 1.0. NC3Rs, London. https://3rsselfassessment.nc3rs.org.uk/

The NC3Rs led the development of the tools. They were built by an external software developer, Wubbleyou Ltd. Input was provided by an expert working group, convened by the NC3Rs, that included senior animal facility staff, AWERB members and in vivo researchers from a range of organisations of differing sizes and research priorities. We also used one-to-one interviews and user testing to inform the development of the tools.

There are often lots of different 3Rs activities taking place within Research Institutions and research groups. It can be challenging to compile them, which in turn makes it harder to identify further opportunities to put the 3Rs into practice. The tools were developed to make it easier for you to collate, track and benchmark 3Rs activities over time, as well as demonstrate the importance that you place upon the 3Rs to senior staff, regulators, research funders and the public.

The tools will help you:

• Compile 3Rs activities from different stakeholders by allowing multiple users to contribute to a single evaluation.
• Identify potential 3Rs opportunities through bespoke feedback and examples of past success.
• Track your 3Rs successes over time by storing previous evaluations that can then be compared.

We will update the tools regularly in response to feedback, and to ensure that they provide up-to-date information. These changes will not prevent comparisons with previous assessments.

You can provide feedback by emailing us at self-assessment@nc3rs.org.uk.

The tools were developed with academic institutions and research groups in mind. However, most of the categories and questions in the institutional level tool are applicable to industry companies. (The category ‘Training: building capacity’ contains several questions about students, which would not be relevant, hence companies could never score well in this category).

We encourage industry companies to try the institutional tool and would welcome any feedback: self-assessment@nc3rs.org.uk

Your scores for each category in the self-assessment tools are calculated based on your responses to the question set and the weightings for each question and statement. The weightings were determined by consensus agreement within the NC3Rs Office, considering the relative importance of each 3Rs activity and the effort required to implement them.

No, single sections can be submitted without needing to complete a full assessment. Only fully completed sections will generate scores and feedback. If you have not completed all sections of the self-assessment, it is only partially completed, and you will be able to add further answers.

The 'Download working document' button can be found in an open self-asessment for the lead-user. This feature allows the lead-user to download a PDF of all the lead-user and sub-user answers for every question in the self-assessment. The idea is that this document could be used to facilitate discussions on which answers should be accepted for submission.

This feature is only available before submission. Once an entire assessment has been submitted, the lead-user will no longer be able to download this working document.