Biomedical Researchers' Perceptions of the NIH's Sex as a Biological Variable Policy for Animal Research: Results from a U.S. National Survey.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional survey (graded by design analogy for non-clinical research)
PubMed 33834877 · doi:10.1089/jwh.2020.8997
What was done
A national cross-sectional survey of U.S. biomedical researchers using vertebrate animals was conducted. Investigators surveyed respondents on how they select and use model organisms and assessed perceptions of the 2015 NIH Sex as a Biological Variable (SABV) policy and its impact on their research practices.
What was found
The abstract reports few specific numerical values. Almost all respondents were aware of the NIH SABV policy, and over one-third reported modifying their study designs to comply. Perceptions differed robustly depending on the primary species of model organism used. There was no statistically significant difference in the likelihood of analyzing results by sex between researchers who received recent NIH funding and those who did not.
Why it matters
This study highlights gaps between NIH policy awareness and actual post-award analytical implementation, showing that funding alone has not consistently driven sex-disaggregated data analysis in vertebrate animal research.
Limits
The abstract does not provide the sample size (n), response rate, or exact statistical figures and effect sizes. The results rely entirely on self-reported survey responses rather than objective audits of published manuscripts or grant compliance.
Cited by
- supports About 10 years ago, scientific grant funding bodies established a requirement that funded preclinical biomedical research must evaluate both sexes rather than only male animals.