Methods for Animal Behavior Research is a video tutorial for conducting animal behavior research. The content is written at the undergraduate level but can be used with high school students, graduate students, and/or professionals and will be a valuable tool for students with a wide range of background experience in research and animal behavior. Over 4,000 copies of the tutorial have been distributed to schools and universities in over 20 countries around the world since its release. In its first year alone, an estimated 50,000 students in the United States viewed the program. The tutorial has received favorable, published reviews in Zoo Biology and the newsletter of the International Society of Behavioral Ecologists.
Content
Methods for Animal Behavior Research includes six chapters on successive stages of the research process as well as supplementary information in PDF files. Click the links below for video samples.
- Introduction
- Chapter 1. Bibliographic Research
- Chapter 2. Questions and Hypothesis
- Chapter 3. Developing Ethograms
- Chapter 4. Experimental Design
- Chapter 5. Data Collection
- Chapter 6. Data Analysis Supplemental Information (PDF)
- Video Sample 1
- Video Sample 2
Development
Methods for Animal Behavior Research was developed by the members of the AZA Behavioral Scientific Advisory Group's Steering Committee. Content was provided by Robert Olley and David Powell of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Cynthia Bennett at Dallas Zoo, Sue Margulis at the Lincoln Park Zoo, Beth Stark-Posta at the Toledo Zoo, Kathy Carlstead at the Honolulu Zoo, David Shepherdson at the Oregon Zoo, and Chris Kuhar at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
Funding
Support was provided by the AZA Conservation Grants Fund (previously the Conservation Endowment Fund), the Wildlife Conservation Society, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Obtain a Copy!
Methods for Animal Behavior Research is available as a DVD or video download and is available for only $8 (USD) per copy in the U.S. Additional fees apply for priority mail and international orders, please inquire about shipping rates for expedited mailing. Checks or money orders should be made out to “AZA Behavior Scientific Advisory Group” and sent to:
David Powell
St. Louis Zoo
1 Government Drive
St. Louis, MO 63110
P: (314) 646-4523
E: dpowell@stlzoo.org
F: (314) 646-5534
Credit card orders can be accepted by phone or mail (click here to download the credit card order form (PDF). A 3% service charge is added to all credit card orders.