Conducting Behaviour Observations

Question 1

Difference between sampling rules and recording rules

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Examples of sampling and recording rule techniques

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What is ad libitum sampling? Caveat?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What is focal (animal) sampling? Caveat?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What is scan sampling? Caveat?

Answer 5

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)

Question 6

What is behaviour sampling

Answer 6

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)

Question 7

What is continuous recording

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What is time sampling

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What are the two principles of time sampling

Answer 9

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

Question 10

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

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Event vs state

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Slide 15, 16**

Answer 12

Time sampling (instant, one-zero)

Question 13

What does the size of the sample interval depend on

Answer 13

Number of behaviour categories being observed
Nature of the behaviour

Question 14

Benefits of a shorter sample interval? Downfalls?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Recording medium options available

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Benefits of using video recording? Downfalls?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Paper and pencil method..

Answer 17

Check (observation) sheets

Question 18

Design of observation sheets

Answer 18

Categories of beh along top
Sample intervals along side

Question 19

What is one-zero sampling

Answer 19

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

Question 20

One-zero sampling does not care about..

Answer 20

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

Question 21

How is data expressed for one-zero and instantaneous sampling

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Caveat of one-zero sampling

Answer 22

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

Question 23

What is instantaneous sampling

Answer 23

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

Question 24

What kind of behavioural states should be recorded with instantaneous sampling

Answer 24

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