Theoretical Review
Human Ethology Bulletin, Volume 32, No 4, 15-20, published December 28, 2017
updated November 30, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22330/heb/324/015-020
ABSTRACT
This paper describes the construction and use of ethograms: the sets of detailed descriptions of characteristic behaviours of the species under investigation. The importance of a good ethogram for ensuring consistency across observers is emphasised, which follows the standard scientific requirement for shared definitions of terms. The early stages are often informal, looking for patterns. Different techniques are used: e.g. scanning a number of individuals briefly observing each, following just one for some time. Part of the discipline is avoiding anthropomorphising, examples, with their hyperlinks, are given. Some of the techniques for developing behaviour categories, testing their reliability, and sampling them are descibed. The early stages, it is emphasised, can be lengthy and hard, but they pay dividends later in getting through to more useful, novel and objective descriptions and understandings of behaviour.
Keywords: Developing direct observation skills, ethogram, ethology.
Note: The link for video nr.3 in a previous version of this paper has been replaced and updated. Find the new video here.
ISSN: 2224-4476
