Introduction

Rooks can use rocks to raise water levels in order to reach food. They knew that larger rocks raised the water levels quicker than smaller rocks.


Definition of a behaviour:

A change in an animal’s activity in response to a stimulus/stimuli.


Quantitative methods

  • Numerical, measurable data types

  • Objective approach

  • Often large sample size

  • Research questions include “How many?”, “How often?”

  • Data is collected through experiments, surveys etc

  • Data analyses are statistical, mathematical


Qualitative methods

  • Descriptive, non-numerical data types

  • Subjective, interpretive approach

  • Often small sample size

  • Research questions include “Why?”, “In what ways?”

  • Data is collected through interviews, case studies, open-ended surveys etc

  • Data analyses are thematic, narrative


Anecdote vs Evidence

E.g. “my dog did this"!” vs “We collected data on X dogs.”


Steps of studying animal behaviour

  1. Formulate a research question

  2. Formulate a hypothesis (stating WHY you expect a certain outcome)

  3. Predict outcomes

  4. Identify and define behaviours

  5. Choose recording method

  6. Design the study, e.g. location, duration, how will you do everything?

  7. Obtain the permits you need (e.g. ethical/research permits)

  8. Conduct pilot studies. Always.

  9. Data collection

  10. Data analyses and interpretation

  11. Write-up and communication of skills


Behaviour integrates genes, physiology, development, and environment.


Tinbergen’s Four Questions

  1. Causation/Mechanism

                what triggers the behaviour?

  1. Development/Ontogeny

                does the behaviour change over time?

  1. Function/Adaptation

                what is the behaviour for?

  1. Evolution/Phylogeny

                how did the behaviour arise?


A hypothesis should state WHY you expect an outcome, not just what you expect.


Reasons why behaviour is important in conservation

  • How large home range does the animal need?

  • How far does the species disperse?

  • Can captive-reared individuals cope upon release?


If your behavioural definition requires you to infer an emotion, rewrite it in terms of what you actually observe.


E.g. guilty look is a reactive behaviour, not a reflective one.


Observer effect

Animals start acting in non-natural behavioural patterns in the presence of an observer.


Acclimation

The time needed for the animals to get used to the presence of the observer or equipment.

(Not the same as habituation)


Note that some species have other senses (e.g. UV light, magnetism, smells etc) which can affect their behaviours in ways we may not at first consider.

When conducting a study, consider that the behaviour may also be affected by how the handlers treat the animals and whether the tester is male or female (pheromones). All animals are also individuals with different experiences, genes etc that may also affect their behaviours.