approaches: psychology vs. ethology
psych=focus on how behaviour works and how it develops
-usually done in a LAB
ethology=focus on what behaviour is for and why it evolved
-field setting
What to consider in a study
- species
- setting
- behaviours feasible in the setting
- time of day
- how presence of observer will affect animal
- ethical considerations
- group vs. individuals
- events vs. states
how to begin measuring behaviour
- ask a question
- make prelimiary observations
- identify behavioural variables need to be measured
- formulate hypothesis
- chose suitable recording methods
- collect and analyze data
- interpret results
- consider alternate interpretations, recognize limitations
types of measures
lactency
frequency
duration
latency
time from some specified event to the onset of the first occurrence of the behaviour
frequency
-total # of occurrences of behaviour pattern per unit time
duration
length of time which a single occurrence of behaviour lasts
events
behavioural patterns of short duration that happen as points in time
-ie. vocalizations, ear twitch
states
behavioural patterns of long duration where durations are mearsured
-ie. proximity to others, postures, feeding
individuals vs. groups
can you consistently identify individuals in the group?
how would you define the group?
recording methods
ad libitum sampling
focal sampling
scan sampling
ad libitum sampling
write down whatever is visible or seems relevant
focal sampling
observe ONE individual for a specified tiem and record all instances of behaviour
scan sampling
group is scanned on ‘censured’ at regular intervals and behaviours of individuals recorded
data collection methods
continuous/all-occurrence recording
or time sampling
continuous/all-occurrence recording
measures true frequencies and durations of behaviour patterns
time sampling
instantaneous sampling (scan or fixed-interval point time, at a certain time record observed behaviours) one-zero sampling-at end of time interval record whether behaviour occured or not
time sampling: choosing sample interval
- how many categories of behavior are being recorded?
- shorter time interval MORE ACCURATE representation of behaviour (only if measure d properly) ie. 30 sec more accurate than 2 min.
- trial and error: need to make sure provide true record of total time
designing data sheet
choose behaviours measured to get time budget
-method of data collection
reliability
- observer reliability/consistency: single observer obtains results when measuring same thing on diff occasions
- between two or more observers reliability
