Measuring Behaviour

Course goals

Course goals
After completing the module the student should have a profound understanding of:

• Types of problems in animal behaviour research
• Measures of behavior
• Recording methods
• Reliability and validity of measures
• Empirical cycle
• Research design
• Novel techniques in animal behaviour research
• Statistical analysis of data
• Advanced statistical modelling in R

Content

Introduction
The purpose of this course (2 weeks) is to acquire working knowledge of the methods for measuring and analyzing animal behaviour.
The course is based on the book "Measuring Behaviour. An introductory guide".

Course set-up and study aims
Day 1: Introduction; practicing observational methods; self-study
Day 2: Self-study
Day 3: Empirical cycle; research design; self-study
Day 4: Self-study
Day 5: Novel techniques in Animal Behaviour research
Day 6: Practicing the statistical analysis of behavioural data, including advanced models
Day 7: Self-study
Day 8: Assignment
Day 9: Self-study
Day 10: Written exam
On day 8 students have to answer a set of questions pertaining to methodological issues in one or two papers, preferably related to their Masters study topic.
The course is not a course in statistics. Basic knowledge on statistical tests is presumed. On day 6 the application of some tests frequently used in behavioural biology will be reviewed. The emphasis here is on when to use which test and how to perform the test in R. In addition the students will get an introduction into more advanced statistical modelling, as this is commonplace in Animal Behaviour research


Registration:
[MC(1] 

Mandatory for students in Master’s programme: YES

Optional for students in other Master’s programmes GS-LS: Neuroscience and Cognition, especially the tracks Cognitive Neuroscience and Behavioural Neuroscience; Environmental Biology, especially the specialization programme Behavioural Ecology; and any other master programme with relevant basal courses.


Materials
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Required material

• Book

Measuring Behaviour. An Introductory Guide (3rd revised edition, 2007) Paul Martin and Patrick Bateson, Cambridge University Press, 187 pages. ISBN-10: 0521535638, ISBN-13: 9780521535632
Recommended material

• Software

R(-studio)