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Course module: B-MMBE07
B-MMBE07
Measuring Behaviour
Course info
Course codeB-MMBE07
EC1.5
Course goals
After completing the module the student should have a profound understanding of:
  • Types of problems in animal behaviour research
  • Measures of behavior
  • Recording methods
  • Reliability and validity of measures
  • Empirical cycle
  • Research design
  • Statistical analysis of data
Content
Introduction
The purpose of this course (1 week) is to acquire working knowledge of the methods for measuring and analysing animal behaviour.
The course is based on the book "Measuring Behaviour. An introductory guide".

Course set-up and study aims
Day 1: Introduction; practising observational methods; self-study
Day 2: Empirical cycle; research design; self-study
Day 3: Self-study and assignment
Day 4: Practising the statistical analysis of behavioural data; self-study
Day 5: Self-study; written exam (on Monday)
On day 3 students have to answer a set of questions pertaining to methodological issues in one or two papers, preferably related to their Masters study topic.
The course is not a course in statistics. Basic knowledge on statistical tests is presumed. On day 4 the application of some tests frequently used in behavioural biology will be reviewed. The emphasis here is on when to use which test and how to perform the test in SPSS.

Registration:
Send an e-mail to the course coordinator (Dr. J. de Vries, j.devries1@uu.nl). The mail should contain 1) your name; 2) student number; 3) e-mail address; 4) telephone number; 5) current Master track. Please note: the number of participants is limited to 25. Only the first registrations can be accepted.

Mandatory for students in Master’s programme: YES

Optional for students in other Master’s programmes GS-LS: Neuroscience and Cognition, especially the tracks Cognitive Neuroscience and Behavioural Neuroscience; Environmental Biology, especially the specialization programme Behavioural Ecology; and any other master programme with relevant basal courses.
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Kies de Nederlandse taal