Evaluation of different observational sampling regimes for use in zoological parks
Observational sampling methods provide clearly-defined guidelines for collection and analysis of behavioral data. In some situations, use of formal sampling regimes may be impractical or impossible. A case in point is data collection conducted by animal care staff at zoological parks and aquaria. Often, time is sufficiently limited that data collection is perceived as a […]
Measuring behaviour accurately with instantaneous sampling: A new tool for selecting appropriate sampling intervals
A central dilemma in instantaneous sampling (IS) is to select appropriate sampling intervals for different behaviours. Ideally, the interval should be as long as possible without risking the accuracy of obtained estimates. In this study, we developed a computational method for evaluating the accuracy of IS estimates for behaviour durations and for selecting optimal interval […]