Handbook of Ethological Methods

ISBN-13: 9780521637503 / Angielski / Miękka / 1998 / 694 str.

Philip N. Lehner

Opis

At first glance, studying behavior is easy, but as every budding ethologist quickly realizes, there are a host of complex practical, methodological and analytical problems to solve before designing and conducting the study. How do you choose which species or which behavior to study? What equipment will you need to observe and record behavior successfully? How do you record data in the dark, in the wet, or without missing part of the action? How do you analyze and interpret the data to yield meaningful information? This new expanded edition of the Handbook of Ethological Methods provides a complete step-by-step introduction to ethological methods from topic choice and behavioral description to data collection and statistical analysis. This book is a must for both beginning students and experienced researchers studying animal behavior in the field or laboratory.

Recenzje

'To anyone having an interest in insect behaviour, this text will revolutionize their capacity for observation. For those starting out on insect behaviour research projects, the text is an essential reference source.' R. L. H. Dennis, Entomologist's Gazette

Spis treści

Preface; 1. Introduction; Part I. Getting Started: 2. A conceptual model of animal behavior; 3. Choice of subject; 4. Reconnaissance observation; 5. Delineation of research; 6. Design of research; 7. Experimental research; Part II. Collecting the Data: 8. Data collection methods; 9. Data collection equipment; 10. Selected examples of data collection and description; Part III. Analysing the Results: 11. Introduction to statistical methods; 12. Selecting a statistical test; 13. Parametric statistical tests; 14. Nonparametric statistical tests; 15. Rates of behavior and analysis of sequences; 16. Statistical analyses for spatial orientation, time and spatial patterns; 17. Presentation and interpretation of results; Bibliography; Appendices: A. Statistical figures and tables; B. Microcomputers: an overview for ethologists by James Ha; C. Guidelines for the use of animals in research; D. Ethics in animal behavior research; Index.