Where To Start With Ethology Research: A Student-Centered Primer With Examples


Theoretical Review

Maryanne L. Fisher

Human Ethology Bulletin, Volume 32, No 4, 27-34, published December 28, 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22330/heb/324/027-034

 

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ABSTRACT

Instructing students on how to conduct direct observations for the purposes of performing human ethology research can be challenging, given that they may not have any prior training. Here I review an undergraduate course on human ethology, where students carry-out independent projects to test a hypothesis using observational units. I first briefly describe the course, then present three different ways that one may find research ideas (surveys, media, and casual observation), and then present details on the actual assignment I distribute to students. The goal of this paper is to provide support for instructors who are considering adding an observational component to a class, or who may propose a human ethology course at their institution.

 

Keywords: Observation, instructional support, student evaluation, human ethology.

 

ISSN: 2224-4476


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