Conducting Behaviour Observations Flashcards

1
Q

Difference between sampling rules and recording rules

A

Sampling rules: specifies which subjects to watch and when
Recording rules: specifies how the behaviour is recorded

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Examples of sampling and recording rule techniques

A

Sampling = ad libitum, focal sampling, scan sampling and behaviour sampling
Recording = continuous, one-zero sampling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is ad libitum sampling? Caveat?

A

Sampling rule
NO constrains on what is recorded/when
Note whatever is visible/ seems relevant (sit, watch, record as much/as little as you want)

Caveat = observations biased towards beh patterns that are the most obvious

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is focal (animal) sampling? Caveat?

A

Sampling rule
Observe one individual (or a dyad, litter, group, etc) for specified amount of time and record all instances of its behaviour (diff categories of behs)
Good for studying large groups

Caveat = difficult under field conditions, when focal animal(s) out of view

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is scan sampling? Caveat?

A

Sampling rule
Whole group of subjects is rapidly scanned at regular intervals and the beh of each at that instant is recorded
Can be combined with other methods

Caveat = restricts observer to limited number of behaviour categories (cannot do fast beh)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is behaviour sampling

A

Sampling rule
Watching whole group and recording each occurrence of particular type of beh, and individuals who were involved
Good for rare but significant behaviours (fighting, reproduction)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is continuous recording

A

Recording rule
Each occurrence of behaviour pattern is recorded, info about its time of occurrence
Exact record (time it occurred for events, when it started/stopped for states)
Info about freq/duration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is time sampling

A

RECORDING RULE
Sampling the behaviour periodically (sometimes watching sometimes not), can record several categories of beh simultaneously
Less info/no exact record

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the two principles of time sampling

A

Instantaneous sampling (“visual photo,” what happens in one instant)
One-zero sampling (watch from zero -> 1min, note what was seen, turn to next group)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

In time sampling, what are sample intervals? Sample points?

A

Interval = observation session divided into successive, short periods of time
Point = instant of time at the end of each sample interval

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Event vs state

A

Event = short behaviour (blink)
State = lasts a long time (sleeping)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Slide 15, 16**

A

Time sampling (instant, one-zero)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does the size of the sample interval depend on

A

Number of behaviour categories being observed
Nature of the behaviour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Benefits of a shorter sample interval? Downfalls?

A

More accurate time-sample record, more accurate data (more data points)
BUT difficult for recording several categories of beh

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Recording medium options available

A

Video recordings
Verbal descriptions
Automatic recording devices (e.g. fit bit)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Benefits of using video recording? Downfalls?

A

Permanent record of behaviour (can go back)
BUT reliant on technology, less efficient (set up, checking, issues, etc)

17
Q

Paper and pencil method..

A

Check (observation) sheets

18
Q

Design of observation sheets

A

Categories of beh along top
Sample intervals along side

19
Q

What is one-zero sampling

A

On the instant of each sample (“beep”), you record whether or not the behaviour pattern has occurred DURING THE PRECEDING TIME INTERVAL

20
Q

One-zero sampling does not care about..

A

How often, or for how long the behaviour pattern occurred during the sample interval

21
Q

How is data expressed for one-zero and instantaneous sampling

A

Proportion
e.g. 50/120 sample points (or intervals for one-zero) saw the behaviour = 0.42

22
Q

Caveat of one-zero sampling

A

Only be used with short sampling intervals, does not include how many times

23
Q

What is instantaneous sampling

A

On the instant of each sample point (“beep”), a record is made of whether or not a given behaviour pattern is occurring AT THAT MOMENT

24
Q

What kind of behavioural states should be recorded with instantaneous sampling

A

Ones that can be said to be occurring or not occurring at one instant in time
e.g. body postures, orientation