Cognitive Science 0279 - Animal Behavior Research Methods

This hands-on field course will cover research methods for observing, coding, and analyzing animal behavior. We will practice behavior sampling and recording techniques on domestic animals at the farm, wild animals in the campus woods, and captive animals in the lab. We will use tools and equipment for measuring and tracking behaviors, including social behavior, foraging and communication behavior. Students will carry out independent projects on a species in the Hampshire woods, the Farm, or the lab and will be expected to consult the primary scientific literature to learn about their species. We will examine how to summarize, analyze, and present data. Students will work with spreadsheets and basic R Statistical Software and make graphs to present their data. Papers and presentations will be due for each project. Keywords:Animal behavior, research methods, ethology, ecology, agriculture/aquaculture

Students should expect to spend 6-8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time Books: Title:Observing Animal Behaviour: Design and Analysis of Quantitive Controls Author:Miriam Stamp Dawkins ISBN:019856936X Cost: Title:Measuring Behaviour Author:Melissa Bateson ISBN:1108745725 Cost: