Measuring Behaviour

Reviews / Votes

'A brilliant new edition of this classic guide to studying both animal and human behaviour, it is also a wonderful introduction to the scientific method: asking questions; formulating testable hypotheses; designing a research programme; research ethics; the recording, statistical analysis and interpretation of data; sample sizes, replication and reliability; and how best to communicate the findings to both a scientific and a public audience. Inspiring reading for field and laboratory researchers in ethology, psychology, anthropology, social sciences and public health, and for policy makers, too, and especially timely now, with an analysis of how social networks influence group dynamics and the spread of ideas and diseases.' Nick Davies, Professor of Behavioural Ecology, University of Cambridge, UK 'From choosing a study animal to designing an experiment, from recording data to writing publications, this superb little book succinctly captures everything that a budding researcher needs to know to do excellent behavioural research. Updated to incorporate new chapters on the replication crisis, ethics, and animal social groups, and broadened to cover human behaviour, the new edition of this much-valued classic is the best ever.' Kevin N. Laland, Professor of Behavioural and Evolutionary Biology, University of St Andrews, UK 'The new Measuring Behaviour, in which Paul Martin is joined by Melissa Bateson, retains all the succinct crystal clarity of the previous editions and significantly extends its reach to include major new sections on the reproducibility crisis, ethical and legal considerations in research, and the use of modern technologies in data collection. Its lucidity and comprehensive scope mean that, more than ever, it should be the go-to reference for all those wishing to run behavioural studies.' Mike Mendl, Professor of Animal Behaviour and Welfare, University of Bristol, UK 'Ever since its first edition in 1986, Measuring Behaviour has been an invaluable resource for anyone interested in recording, measuring and analysing how and why animals - including humans - do what they do. This newest edition is more useful than ever, an indispensable reference for students and established scientists alike. Melissa Bateson and Paul Martin have comprehensively revised and updated the volume, adding material to address important contemporary issues such as the replication crisis, the ethics of animal research, and how to manage the sometimes-complex publication process. This beautifully written 'how to' guide is a must read for researchers engaged in the study of behaviour.' Stephen Nowicki, Professor of Biology, Psychology and Neurobiology, Duke University, USA 'An essential 'how to' guide to research in animal behaviour, this new updated edition goes through all the stages needed to achieve scientifically valid results from initial planning to presenting the final conclusions. Highly recommended for students wanting to achieve the highest standards of scientific research.' Marian Stamp Dawkins, University of Oxford, UK 'Over the past several years I have recommended Measuring Behaviour to students, postdocs and even accomplished researchers. Since its initial publication, Measuring Behaviour has saved many investigators from shabby technique and the reinvention of unsatisfactory new wheels. ... This new edition represents a greatly enlarged and modernised vision of behavioural measurement. The new edition (boldly but quite correctly) discusses the measurement of human and non-human behaviour in parallel. In addition to the bricks and mortar issues of sampling frequency and ethograms, the new edition considers the replication crisis, basic principles of research design, and the ethics of studying living subjects. It would be a marvellous text for a course on behavioural research method, but every serious student of behavioural empiricism will benefit from this work. It is truly a tour de force.' David Stephens, Professor of Ecology, Evolution, and Behaviour, University of Minnesota, USA