The development of behavior observation protocols and their associated ethogram is a complex and detail-oriented task. High-quality protocols and ethograms are often constructed by combining, modifying, and refining prior ethograms; there is no point in reinventing the wheel, when you can make that wheel better. Given this is common practice in the field of ethology, we will be doing something similar with this project.
The protocols and ethogram presented below were developed for the Elephant Welfare Initiative (Meehan et al., 2019). At the time this was one of the most robust and detailed ethograms available to welfare scientists working to understand and the welfare of zoo housed elephants. Although these protocols and their associated ethogram were developed for elephants, there is considerable value in building on the existing framework. It is your job to do just that. Review the EWI’s protocols and ethogram in the Worksheet, then modify and revise these to fit protocols and definitions you find in the literature on your species.
Download a copy of AB 201 Behavior Ethogram Worksheet Template (DOCX) Download AB 201 Behavior Ethogram Worksheet Template (DOCX), you will be modifying and editing it. When savinyour copy, include your last name, first initial, study species, and Etho Worksheet; For example: Smith,J_Ants_Etho Worksheet.docx.
Review the EWI’s data collection protocols and ethogram listed under the header Observation Protocols and Ethogram. A walkthrough of this process provided in Ethogram Worksheet Overview minilecture above.
While reviewing these, modify and refine them to fit your study species. We provide some examples for modifications/revisions in the mini lecture “The Elephant Welfare Initiative: Exploring Ethogram Construction” and in the “Revision Tips” columns in the AB 201 Behavior Ethogram Worksheet Template.
In addition to using the provided examples, you will need to pull information about your species from peer reviewed and empirical literature. Do your best with the revision process. This is a new challenge for you; mistakes will be made. As such, consider this is a first draft. Your protocols and ethogram do not need to be perfect. At the end of the term, you will have the opportunity to reflect upon what worked well and what did not in the Revision statement of your course project.
When modifying the protocols and ethogram components, use bold text and comments to help your instructor assess your responses.
If you used published literature (e.g., existing ethograms) when revising ethogram definitions to fit your species, cite the source using APA format.
After completing your modifications and revisions, summarize them in the Student Modification Record section within the AB 201 Behavior Ethogram Worksheet Template.
Remember to cite any literature you used to update your protocols and ethogram.
To receive full credit, this list should outline at least five revisions or modifications.
You may use the two revisions you proposed as part of the Week 2 Discussion: Fail to Plan is a Plan to Fail.
Upload your Ethogram Worksheet to the Canvas by Sunday.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Unless asked to do so by your instructor, do not make further changes to your protocols or ethogram after turning in your assignment. You will be locked into the protocols and ethogram definitions you select as soon as we begin data collection in Week 3.
Modifies 5 or more protocols/ethogram components/definitions in the Ethogram Worksheet Template.
20 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeRevisions | WLO 5/CO 4
Revisions are summarized and justified in the Student Modification Record table of the Ethogram Worksheet Template.
10 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeRevisions | WLO 5/CO 2
Revisions are embedded in the Data Collection Protocols and Ethogram section. All revisions are bold text or are otherwise easily identified.
10 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConventions of Writing | CO 7
Follows academic guidelines for appropriate APA citation and writing.
5 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
5 pts
Total Points: 45
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Category: Animal behavior
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“Building on the Elephant Welfare Initiative: Modifying and Refining Behavior Observation Protocols and Ethograms for a New Species” “Exploring the Importance of Academic Writing and APA Guidelines”