SciScore Rigor FAQ

Sex as biological variable - What is this?

• Sex as a biological variable

  • Applicable guidelines: MDAR, NIH, CONSORT, ARRIVE

  • Reporting the sex of any and all organisms, cell lines, and human subjects.

  • NIH Video explaining SABV policy, New Sex Inclusive Research Framework (supported by UK’s NC3Rs.org)

  • Materials useful for teaching this topic C4r.io (Controls topic)

• What does SciScore do with this?

  • If we find a statement about sex of subjects, then SciScore expects to find the following items (randomization, blinding, power);

• Example sentences

  • All females were of reproductive age and none were on progestin.

  • Male Sprague‑Dawley rats weighing 250‑280 g and 8 weeks of age were allowed…

Please consider sex as a biological variable in your study or let the reviewers and readers know why that is not appropriate. Cell lines are not immune to having a sex. Please note, HeLa cells were derived from a female patient, thus may not be appropriate for studies of prostate cancer.

For the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) Policy on Sex as a Biological Variable (SABV) in Research and associated changes to application requirements will be in place and information will be available at https://ebrap.org/

This policy includes biological research funded by the following: DOD, DHA, US Army, USAMRDC, USAMRAA, CDMRP