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Wild Behaviour

Module description

What methods can we deploy to explore why humans and other animals behave as they do in natural settings? In this module you learn about different observational, experimental and analytical approaches in a completely ‘hands-on’ and applied manner. First, you will learn how to address questions scientifically, through a series of problem-based learning exercises in small groups. You’ll then employ your skills in a series of group practicals, culminating in you devising your own research question (e.g. Do social networks arise from sexual harassment? Why follow a leader?), that you will tackle with data and analyses.

Module aims - intentions of the module

Following an introduction to problems showcasing appropriate methods of scientific study through a series of small-group problem-based learning exercises, you will go through the full process of designing, running, analysing and reporting the results of laboratory and field investigations. This will introduce you to a range of study systems, research methods and questions. You will complete a series of taught practicals with each focusing on a different type of analytical method, followed by a small-scale research project. At the end of this module you should be capable of designing, conducting, and discussing the results of original research projects in the third year. These tasks will be covered in a week-long residential field course, usually during the Easter vacation; or if a field course is not possible (e.g. due to pandemic restrictions) then through remote learning.

This module teaches you how to be a scientist: you will learn how to design and conduct observational and experimental studies of real behaviours in the wild; how to analyse your own results and so strengthen your statistical abilities; how to ask clear questions and interpret your results so as to answer them; and how to execute and structure writing up your own research project in a scientific manner, on a topic that interests you.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Illustrate detailed critical appreciation and practical experience of how to frame questions for further investigation
• 2. Develop questions and hypotheses from preliminary observations
• 3. Design and conduct experiments to test specific hypotheses
• 4. Conduct research safely and with moral integrity
• 5. Analyse and classify behavioural data

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Describe how scientists advance understanding of animal behaviour
• 7. Illustrate detailed factual and conceptual knowledge of the subject and identify a variety of ideas, contexts and frameworks, at a well-developed level
• 8. Address defined problems systematically, think critically and creatively and begin to appreciate the complexities of the issues
• 9. Apply essential principles in designing research, to critically evaluate and analyse empirical evidence and to assess the reliability of empirical evidence using a range of defined techniques at a well-developed level
• 10. Discuss the wider ethical issues relating to the subject and its application at a well-developed level

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 11. Interact effectively within a learning group, giving and receiving information and ideas and modifying responses where appropriate
• 12. Manage learning using resources for the discipline
• 13. Evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses, challenge received opinion and develop and justify your own criteria and judgement, to seek and make use of feedback
• 14. Manage and select information and data from a range of sources and develop appropriate information finding strategies
• 15. Take responsibility for your own learning with minimum direction within defined guidelines
• 16. Communicate effectively in formats appropriate to the discipline
• 17. Identify key problems and choose appropriate methods for their resolution in a considered manner
• 18. Manage time effectively to do successful research and meet deadlines

Syllabus plan

Indicative problem-based learning exercises:

• An introduction to the field course and PBL, essential information, including health and safety.
• PBL 1. Sexual selection in humans (observations)
• PBL 2. Sexual selection in humans (experiments)
• PBL 3. Diet choices in humans (observations)
• PBL 4. Diet choices in humans (experiments)
• Further information about the field course, essential information, including health and safety.

UK Field Course/remote learning:

• Practical exercises in comparing means between two groups, comparing means between multiple groups, testing for associations, comparing relationships between two variables using correlations and regressions, searching for patterns of preferences.
• You form groups of size 2-4 and choose research topics for original research project. Groups meet with project supervisors to discuss project hypotheses, methods, logistics, and safety. Groups practice using field methods and field equipment such as binoculars, telescopes, surveying and mapping equipment, GPS, and test field observational methods.
• Field research on various species of humans, birds, mammals, fish or invertebrates.
• Group discussion and writing-up of the research results. Group oral presentations of their results.

This module is likely to incur an additional student contribution if the field trip goes ahead as planned. We expect this to be around £25. There may be funds available to assist students if this contribution would prohibit their attending the course. Please contact the module convenor for further information about this.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Four assessments are required for this module. Where you have been referred/deferred in the project report you will be required to resubmit the report. Where you have been referred/deferred in the practical write-ups you will be required to resubmit them. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%; deferred marks are not capped.

If you are unable to attend the field trip then you can apply via the University mitigation process for a deferral for the summative assessments. You would be required to submit your Practical Write-Ups and your Project Report in the re-assessment period. Alternative questions will be provided.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Module textbook (essential reading):

• Ploger, B. J. and Yauskawa, K. 2003. Exploring Animal Behavior in Laboratory and Field: An Hypothesis-testing Approach to the Development, Causation, Function, and Evolution of Animal Behavior. Academic Press.
• Dawkins, M.S. 2007 Observing Animal Behaviour. Oxford University Press, Oxford

You will also be given a reading list of papers from scientific journals which complement and expand the material in the textbook; the subject is evolving faster than textbooks can be written.

Reference Text on animal behaviour methods:

• Altman, J. 1974. Observational study of behaviour: sampling methods. Behaviour, 49, 227-267.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page: https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=10298
  
• http://wildbehaviour.weebly.com/

Key words search

Psychology, animal behaviour, problems, projects