How do you start a behavioral research study?
In our previous blog, we shared some of the techniques to doing behavioral research, so now you can go off and start recording right?
The answer is…not quite!
In conducting behavioral research, you must outline the scientific method in which you will be using as a guide for your chosen experiment.
What is the Scientific Method?
Scientific Method – a method used to obtain information through observation, measurements and experiments
How do I start using the Scientific Method?
As part of your scientific method you must first select a species of interest in which you wish to conduct research. Then, ask yourself a question with regards to what information you would like to collect. For example, how do environmental factors influence vocalizations in giant pandas? This is your research question. Now you thoroughly do a background check to determine if there is already substantial evidence gathered on your question. If there doesn’t seem to be much out there, you can move onto developing your hypothesis!
Hypothesis – a proposition on a specific topic, not supported by much scientific evidence.
A hypothesis can be considered an educated guess, where scientists develop a theory that relates to their scientific question. As this statement has an unknown answer, your hypothesis must be able to be tested. Observing and recording behavior can lead to further questions being developed or a hypothesis being reconstructed depending on data collected.
The great thing about behavioral research is that it can be done on any species, anywhere in the world including your own backyard…for instance, on squirrels.
Research Question: How does weather effect Squirrel activity?
Hypothesis: Squirrels are more active in warmer, dryer weather.
We challenge you all to think of your favorite species, ask yourself a question that may be unknown and construct your own hypothesis. Think you have a good one? Let us know in the comments section below!
PDX Wildlife Team