ObjectivesTo introduce the formulating methods and implementing steps of search strategy of systematic reviews (SRs)/meta-analysis (MAs) of animal experiments, so as to provide a reference for domestic related researchers, and promote the development and implementation of high quality SRs/MAs of animal experiments in China. MethodsPubMed, EMbase and CNKI databases were searched online to retrieve studies on the search strategy of SRs/ MAs of animal experiments from inception to October 2017. A descriptive analysis was then conducted using the evidence-based medicine theory and method.ResultsA total of 5 studies were included. The 5 basic steps on how to design and carry out comprehensive search strategies to identify potentially relevant animal experiments on a specific research question were as follow: 1) Formulate research question; 2) Identify appropriate databases and sources of studies; 3) Transform research question into search strategy; 4) Collect search results and remove duplicates; 5) Identify potentially relevant papers. The report of search strategy needs to state its search method and search results clearly.ConclusionThese 5 steps can provide an effective method, which will assist researchers in performing a comprehensive literature search.
ObjectivesUsing the ARRIVE guidelines (Animal Research Reporting: In Vivo Experiments Guidelines) to carry out a retrospective study of the reporting quality of animal studies published in Chinese journals.MethodsWe searched databases including CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP and CBM to July, 2018. Four reviewers independently screened literatures and extracted data. The ARRIVE guidelines were used to assess reporting quality and the comparative analysis based on different published time.ResultsA total of 4 342 studies were included. About the cited frequency, 73.03% studies were ≤5, and merely 29.04% studies were published in journals of CSCD. The assessment results showed that the number of reported items with "low risk" in the ARRIVE guidelines, which have 20 items, that meaning 39 sub items, more than half of sub items (51.28%, 20/39) rated as "low risk" had a compliance rate of less than 50%. Among them, 65.00% (13/20) of sub items had a lower rate of compliance with "low risk" than 10%.ConclusionThe reporting quality of domestic animal studies is generally low. The coincidence rate of domestic animal studies has been improved to some extent in most of items after the ARRIVE guidelines published, however, some items of methodology, results and conclusions had problems with insufficient reporting. Therefore, we suggest that it is necessary to popularize the ARRIVE guidelines, advocate more researchers following the ARRIVE guidelines and promote endorsement of the ARRIVE Guideline by Chinese Journals to improve the design, implementation and reporting of animal experiments, and ultimately enhance the quality of animal studies.