Sampling Techniques Flashcards
(18 cards)
Ethogram
A catalogue or table of all the different kinds of behaviour or activity observed in an animal.
Why do we use ethograms?
- Understand behaviour
- Assess welfare
- Monitor enrichment
- Evaluate traning programs
- Accurate data
Behaviour Sampling
- Whole group observed and each occurrence of a particular type of behaviour is recorded
- Recording rare but significant types of behaviour where it is important to record each occurrence
Scan Sampling
- Activities are recorded, usually from whole group, at regular, timed intervals
- Collecting a large amount of data from a group of animals
Focal Sampling
- Recordings focused on an individual animal for set period of time
- For observing an animal that is in same way ‘unique’ to rest of group
Ad Libitum Sampling
- All behaviour is recorded; informal
- Early in research project to obtain a list of possible behaviours
Events
- Relatively short (discrete movement or vocalisation)
- Measure the frequency of occurrence
States
- Relatively long (prolonged activity, body postures, or proximity measures)
- Measure the duration (mean or total, or proportion of time spent performing activity)
States vs Events
States represent the conditions of a system at a specific point in time, while events represent actions or changes that occur over time and can alter a system’s state.
Ad Libitum Pros and Cons
Pros – any behaviour can be recorded, can be done as an ethogram
Cons – can be messy and unorganized leading to no data. Can miss subtle behaviours
Focal Pros and Cons
Pros – can study an animal for a long period of time and look for certain behaviours, unbiased data, unique animals
Cons – can get a lack of info if out of sight for a long time, can be hard to identify the individual in a larger group
Scan Pros and Cons
Pros – can record a wide range of data, activity budget
Cons – hard to be consistent, miss event behaviours
Behaviour Pros and Cons
Pros – easy to spot certain behaviours ad to get Comparisions, can have enrichment choices
Cons – my miss certain behaviours, limited to set behaviour
Interval Pros and Cons
Pros - It’s straightforward to use and can be quickly implemented, especially when a numbered list of the population is available.
Cons -It relies on having a list of all members of the population, which may not always be available.
Continous vs Time Sampling
Continuous sampling is a method where every occurrence of a behavior is recorded, while time sampling involves observing and recording behaviors at specific intervals or time points.
Fixed Interval Point Recording
Observations are taken at specific intervals, like the end of a fixed period.
One-zero Recording
An observer records whether a specific behavior is present or absent (1 or 0) during pre-defined intervals.
In-situ Obervations
Measurements taken at the location of interest, within the natural environment where a phenomenon occurs.
- Binoculars, close contact, hides
