©Dr. Mitchel Goodkin, 2008
We need to
define
Ethogram…
©Dr. Mitchel Goodkin, 2008
An Ethogram
is a list of
behaviors
©Dr. Mitchel Goodkin, 2008
That being said,
there are
3 methods of
Ethogram
data collection
that
we will discuss:
Method 1:
Continuous Sampling
Method 2:
Instantaneous Sampling
Method 3:
Zonal Sampling
©Dr. Mitchel Goodkin, 2008
Continuous Sampling
•Either a focal animal or a
group of animals may be
observed.
•The observer selects a
duration for the entire
observation.
•The observer chooses
which behavior(s) to record.
©Dr. Mitchel Goodkin, 2008
Continuous Sampling
•The data is recorded
non-stop for the entire
duration of the
observation.
•The data may be recorded
as frequency of occurrence
or as a duration.
©Dr. Mitchel Goodkin, 2008
Continuous Sampling
•For frequency a tally chart
should be used and the
behavior is checked as a
tally mark as it is
performed.
©Dr. Mitchel Goodkin, 2008
Continuous Sampling
Example of a frequency
based continuous sampling
for a tribe of baboons;
(the entire tribe observed)
Autogrooming
0:00-1:00
1:01-2:00
I
Allogrooming
IIII II
Eating
Sitting
IIII IIII III
IIII IIII IIII IIII
III
IIII IIII IIII IIII
IIII IIII I
IIII IIII IIII IIII
IIII II
©Dr. Mitchel Goodkin, 2008
Continuous Sampling
•For duration a stop watch
must be used and the
watch is started or stopped
according to what the
observed behavior is.
©Dr. Mitchel Goodkin, 2008
Continuous Sampling
Example of a duration
based continuous sampling
for a single baboon;
(a focal animal was identified)
Eating
Not Eating
10:00 am11:59 am
10/2108
70m 20s
48 m 40s
12:00 pm1:59 pm
10/2108
18m 45s
100m 15s
Instantaneous Sampling
•A focal animal is used.
•The observer selects an
appropriate time interval
for the observations.
•The observer uses a
stopwatch and records
what the animal is doing
ONLY at the predetermined
time interval.
©Dr. Mitchel Goodkin, 2008
Instantaneous Sampling
•The observer has created
an extensive list of
possible behaviors, which
are explained in detail
before the observations
begin.
©Dr. Mitchel Goodkin, 2008
Instantaneous Sampling
Example of an instantaneous
sampling data table.
0:00:15
0:00:30
0:00:45
0:01:00
0:01:15
0:01:30
0:01:45
0:02:00
Autogrooming
Autogrooming
Drinking water
Alert resting
Alert resting
Sniffing
Relaxed resting
Relaxed resting
Zonal Sampling
•Either a focal animal is
used or a group of animals.
•The observer sketches a
diagram of the cage, tank
or enclosure.
•The observer then divides
the sketch into distinct
zones.
©Dr. Mitchel Goodkin, 2008
Zonal Sampling
•The observer then selects
an appropriate time interval
for the observations.
•The observer uses a
stopwatch and records either
how many animals are in
each zone or which zone the
focal animal is in ONLY at the
predetermined time interval.
©Dr. Mitchel Goodkin, 2008
Zonal Sampling
Example of a zonal sampling
data table.
0:00:15
0:00:30
0:00:45
0:01:00
0:01:15
0:01:30
0:01:45
The Zone # that the Goldfish with
the Bright Orange Fin is In
1
6
1
1
1
3
2