Measuring Behaviour An Introductory Guide

Behaviour can be recorded in either the laboratory or the field. In either setting, it can be recorded using standardised behavioural tests that elicit specific behaviour, or by observing freely-behaving subjects. Observation requires decisions about which subjects to observe (sampling rules) and how to record their behaviour (recording rules). There are four sampling rules: ad libitum sampling, focal sampling, scan sampling and behaviour sampling. There are two basic types of recording rule: continuous recording and time sampling; the latter can be further divided into instantaneous sampling and one–zero sampling. Continuous recording is more demanding for the observer but is the only recording method that produces true frequencies and durations. Estimates of frequencies and durations derived from time sampling will be more accurate if the sample interval is short relative to the mean duration of the behaviour. One–zero sampling is likely to yield biased estimates of frequency and duration.