In August and December of 1998, a researcher collected behavioral data by observ
ID: 19634 • Letter: I
Question
In August and December of 1998, a researcher collected behavioral data by observing the hippo population(consisting of one adult male, one adult female, and one subadult female) of the Toledo Zoo. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of enclosure differences on the behavior of the hippos. During the Agust data collection period, the hippos were observed in a large, naturalistic outdoor enclosure called a hippoquarium. Data were collected during public veiwing hours (10:00AM-6:00PM). The hippos were fed daily st 6:30PM, off exhibit. Thus, feeding behaviors during periods of data collection were rarely observed. Animal/keeper interactions were rare when the animals were housed outdoors. During the December observations, the hippos were housed indoors in small, barren enclosure consisting of concrete walls and a small pool. Indoor data were collected during public veiwing hours (10AM-5:00PM) and the hippos were fed daily at 11:00AM. Consequently, feeding behaviors were observed daily. In addition, interactions with keepers were about 10 times more frequent when the animals were housed indoors than outdoors.Question: How could this study be imporved?
Explanation / Answer
The study could be improved by repeating it and eliminating as many confounding variables as possible. Enclosures should be the same, time with zookeepers identical, feeding sessions at the same time each day and recorded carefully, the animals need to be the same- potentially do focal follows of each animal, and if doing comparisons group animals based on age and sex. The most important thing overall is to elimonate as many variables as possible because behavior is subjective and even in idea situations with controls there will still be some variability.