Measuring Behaviour: An Introductory Guide

Very useful for learning about observation and data collection. Nicely written, easy to read and understandable. Finishing off my master's project at the moment and I'm fairly confident about my methods, thanks to this book among others. Doesn't really go into statistics much but that's stated by the authors as not being their focus so it's fine by me.

A must have for anyone who is studying behaviour; especially if you are planning on doing data collection and behavioural studies. Covers everything you need to know, where to start and offers solutions to problems you may occur. This has been highly recommended to be by my lectures and I am very happy I have bought it for my dissertation behaviour studies at zoological parks

This book follows the syllabus for my university class, is a good and interesting read. Information was broken down to aid learning

CONTENTS Overview of the behaviour sciences Pre-study decisions Sampling and recording methods (e.g. ad libitum, one-zero, etc.) Testing measure reliability and validity Assessing research design Statistical analysis Specific aspects (e.g. bout length, sequences, dyadic exchanges, etc.) Interpreting and presenting findings REVIEW A must-have if you are contemplating a scientific career on dog behaviour. Otherwise, leave it well alone: the target audience is firmly academic. If you're studying ethology, it's likely a compulsory read for your college. And rightly so! What the book lacks in depth (it's just 170 pages), it makes up in breadth: taking you through a wide sweep at all essential topics for measuring behaviour. Unless you're a first year Psych/Ethology student, you'll be familiar with most of the concepts, but it serves as a wonderful, concise, refresher of the fundamentals. A couple of paragraphs gave me the clearest explanations I'd ever read: e.g. four questions of ethology, sampling vs. recording methods, the interrelated behaviour sciences, etc. The list of annotated references also offers a great tool if you wanted to dig deeper. I do have an ax to grind though: every topic in the statistics section was soooo superficial. It barely covered some topics at conceptual level. I also found the chapter on findings presentation so superficial as to make the inclusion/exclusion of particular points look haphazard. I would have done away with that chapter altogether, as it doesn't gel tightly with the book's core objective anyway. So, verdict time: I love that it is succinct, I hate that it is succinct... A classic all the same.

If you don’t know how to conduct behaviour observations you will with this book, it has helped me complete many of my assignments as well as giving me knowledge for the future. Brought a used copy which was in great condition

Great book! So helpful for my exam

Very useful reference book for my studies and also a good book to just sit and read to improve knowledge of animal behaviour.

Has helped me understand how to document animal behaviour in different ways

As far as textbooks go this one was very enjoyable. (Meaning it didn't feel like walking through mud) It is very easy to understand and full of useful information.

Love this book because it gives a good idea on how to set up your research if you have never done to much about it. From what questions to ask to the methods to the types of analysis. I would recommend a paper copy rather than Kindl as I would love to highlight and circle my points more. However, I needed the book for a course, so the paper version would have taken too long to arrive for my class. I am still considering buying the paper version.

porque tiene toda la información básica para empezar y continuar con la toma y análisis de datos de comportamiento animal

A great introductory book!

I really like this book, its well written and concise, but it very short and too expensive for what you get. I have no other books like this so I don't know if it worth a buy anyway.