The Accuracy of Behavioural Data Collected by Visitors in a Zoo Environment : Can Visitors Collect Meaningful Data?
Joint Authors
Hart, Adam G.
Porter, Sue K.
Goodenough, Anne E.
Williams, Rachel L.
Source
International Journal of Zoology
Issue
Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-13, 13 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2012-08-08
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
13
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Volunteer data collection can be valuable for research.
However, accuracy of such data is often a cause for concern.
If clear, simple methods are used, volunteers can monitor species presence and abundance in a similar manner to professionals, but it is unknown whether volunteers could collect accurate data on animal behaviour.
In this study, visitors at a Wetlands Centre were asked to record behavioural data for a group of captive otters by means of a short questionnaire.
They were also asked to provide information about themselves to determine whether various factors would influence their ability to collect data.
Using a novel analysis technique based on PCA, visitor data were compared to baseline activity budget data collected by a trained biologist to determine whether visitor data were accurate.
Although the response rate was high, visitors were unable to collect accurate data.
The principal reason was that visitors exceeded the observation time stated in the instructions, rather than being unable to record behaviours accurately.
We propose that automated recording stations, such as touchscreen displays, might prevent this as well as other potential problems such as temporal autocorrelation of data and may result in accurate data collection by visiting members of the public.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Williams, Rachel L.& Porter, Sue K.& Hart, Adam G.& Goodenough, Anne E.. 2012. The Accuracy of Behavioural Data Collected by Visitors in a Zoo Environment : Can Visitors Collect Meaningful Data?. International Journal of Zoology،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-493575
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Williams, Rachel L.…[et al.]. The Accuracy of Behavioural Data Collected by Visitors in a Zoo Environment : Can Visitors Collect Meaningful Data?. International Journal of Zoology No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-493575
American Medical Association (AMA)
Williams, Rachel L.& Porter, Sue K.& Hart, Adam G.& Goodenough, Anne E.. The Accuracy of Behavioural Data Collected by Visitors in a Zoo Environment : Can Visitors Collect Meaningful Data?. International Journal of Zoology. 2012. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-493575
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-493575