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Offered by Animal Ecology group
Measuring Behaviour: Methodology of animal behaviour research

Introduction

The purpose of this self study course is to acquire working knowledge of the methods for measuring and analysing animal behaviour.
The course is based on the book "Measuring Behaviour. An introductory guide" (see below).

Topics covered

• Types of problems in animal behaviour research
• Measures of behaviour
• Recording methods
• Reliability and validity of measures
• Empirical cycle
• Research design
• Statistical analysis of data

Basic knowledge

Basic knowledge on statistical tests is presumed, such as covered by the bachelor course "Advanced Statistics and R".

Examination

There is a written exam. Grading will be based on the written exam.

Exam

Monday afternoon 18 February 2019

Further information

Dr. Jorg Massen, Kruijt Building, Padualaan 8, room O 304; email: j.j.m.massen@uu.nl

Literature

Measuring Behaviour. An Introductory Guide (3rd revised edition, 2007) Paul Martin and Patrick Bateson, Cambridge ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ Press, 187 pages. ISBN-10: 0521535638, ISBN-13: 9780521535632
The book Measuring Behaviour is a guide to the principles and methods of quantitative studies of behaviour, with an emphasis on techniques of direct observation, recording and analysis.

Code

B-MEPSB

Teachers

Dr. Liesbeth Sterck; Dr. Marie José Duchateau; Dr. Anne Marijke Schel: Animal Ecology, Department Biology, Faculty of Sciences

Length

6.0 ects

Required book

The Red Queen, Sex & The Evolution of Human
Nature. (1993 or later date) by Matt Ridley

Location first meeting

see MyTimetable

Purpose of this course

1. Obtaining insight in the function of sexual behaviour in animals and humans from an evolutionary perspective
2. Comparing and integrating primary literature
3. Writing a scientific essay in English
4. Critically evaluate written text
5. Editing written text
6. Formulating questions and discussing subjects
7. Giving presentation in English
8. Contributing to scientific discussions

Literature/study material used

The Red Queen, Sex & The Evolution of Human Nature (1993 or a newer version) by Matt Ridley.
Although the title of the book suggests differently, the majority of the book deals with animal behavior in relation to sexual selection theory. Human behaviour is also treated from a biological point of view.
In the book, the different aspects of animal sexual behaviour are discussed following five main questions. These are:
1. Why sex, while sex is expensive?
2. Why gender?
3. Who chooses whom?
4. Monogamy or polygamy?
5. Sexing the mind?

Schematic Planning of Master course

All students read the introductory course book of Matt Ridley and write down one question per chapter. These questions will be discussed in the book discussion meeting (week 1). Each student writes an essay (week 2-4). The subject of the essay belongs to one of the five main questions covered in the book. All students also read and provide written improvements on two essays from fellow students (week 3). The students formulate three questions for each read essay and hand these questions in to the teacher (week 3). Finally, the students give a presentation of their subject (10 minutes) and prepare the discussion on his/her topic (week 4). All these separate parts will be graded.

Grading

essay (50%):clarity of scientific framework and research question, depth of literature review, critical level of discussion, does conclusion follow logically from discussion?
presentation of essay (25%): clear framework and research question, discussion of current literature and clear conclusion, layout of presentation, relevance of discussed topics, posture of speaker
prepared questions (10%): critical reading of book and essays fellow students
suggestions for improvements (15%): critical reading of 2 essays of fellow students