Instructions for Final Animal Behavior Project Design an Ethogram-Based Research Project Using the Scientific Method Objectives: ? ? To understand the process of the Scientific Method. Apply the knowledge of ethograms and animal behavior to design a research project. Develop skills in formulating research questions, designing experiments, and proposing data collection methods using ethograms. To design an observational study on animal behavior using live animal cameras, incorporating an experimental variable, a control variable, and a dependent variable. Task: Design an experiment using the animal you chose for this project (from Lab 3). A. Watch the Lab 8 Power Point Presentation B. Upload a document to the Experimental Design Dropbox with your responses to the following 14 prompts: 1. Select the Study Species: Choose a species that is relevant to your research question and accessible for observation. Give the common name of the animal Give the scientific name of the animal • Genus • species 2. Determine the Observation Setting: a. Identify the appropriate setting for conducting your observations. This could be in the animal's natural habitat, a controlled laboratory environment, or a specific enclosure. b. List the website of the live cameras you would use to conduct the experiment. 3. Select Observation Methods: Determine the most suitable observation methods to collect data on animal behavior. This can include video recordings or the use of live animal cameras. 4. Define the Research Question: Clearly state the research question that you aim to address through your observations. 5. Formulate a hypothesis: Use creative thinking to combine isolated facts into a cohesive whole. It is more than a guess; it is based on existing knowledge. It must be something that can be tested (is falsifiable). The Hypothesis needs to be possible explanation for an observation. Describe what the expected behavior will be and why this behavior is happening. Use the information from your peer-reviewed literature search. 6. Define the Experimental Variable 7. Define the Control Variable. 8. Define additional control variables that will be kept constant across both groups. 9. Define the Dependent Variables: Select dependent variables that will be measured and compared between the experimental and control groups. 10. Develop an Ethogram: Create an ethogram table that lists and defines the behaviors, including the codes for these behaviors. 11. Data Collection: the duration of the observation period number of animals in each group (experimental and control. the frequency of observations any other relevant factors to ensure accurate data collection. 12. Data Analysis: Plan the data analysis methods that align with your research question and the type of data collected. This may include quantitative analysis techniques such as calculating frequencies, durations, or correlations, as well as qualitative analysis for behavioral descriptions. 13. Discussion and Conclusion: a) Reflect on the potential outcomes and their implications for the research question. b) Discuss the limitations of the study and suggest potential areas for further research. 14. Summarize your research study. • Incorporate the information you found in the peer-reviewed literature. • Minimum of 300 words. Examples of Experimental Variables that you can use to design the experiment: 1. Time of Day: The time of day can influence the activity patterns of animals. Different species may exhibit distinct behaviors during morning, afternoon, and evening. 2. Weather Conditions: Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and precipitation can affect animal behavior. For instance, animals may seek shelter during rain or become more active on cooler days. 3. Social Interactions: The presence and interactions of conspecifics (members of the same species) can impact animal behavior. Observing social dynamics can reveal dominance hierarchies, affiliative behaviors, and other social interactions. 4. Availability of Food: The presence and abundance of food sources in the animal's habitat can influence their foraging behavior and feeding patterns. Food availability may vary naturally, affecting the animals' activities. 5. Presence of Threats: The presence of potential environmental threats can trigger defensive behaviors and influence the animals' vigilance and movement. 6. Presence of Visitors or External Stimuli: If the animal habitat is accessible to visitors or there are external stimuli (e.g., noise, movement) from the surroundings, animals may react differently in response to human presence or disturbances. 7. Life Stage: Animals may exhibit different behaviors at various life stages, such as during infancy, adolescence, or adulthood. Observing these differences can shed light on how behaviors change as individuals age. 8. Interactions with Other Species: Observing interactions between different species, such as symbiotic relationships, competition for resources, or cooperative behaviors, can highlight the complexities of ecological interactions and species coexistence. 9. Predator-Prey Interactions: The presence of predators and their hunting behaviors, as well as the responses of potential prey species, can reveal intricate predator-prey interactions and survival strategies./n. INSTRUCTIONS ANIMAL USED IN LAB IS RED PANDA Word Limit 500 words For Whole project APA Format
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