Answer within 24 hours

ANTH 101L: Primate Observation Project (60 points)

Your primate observation project is due in class on Friday, November 22nd. Late assignments will not be

accepted.

ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW:

For your primate observation project, you will be conducting two 30-minute observation sessions during which

you will compare two types of primate observation (Ad Libitum sampling and Focal Animal Point Sampling)

and evaluating the pros and cons of using these techniques for the purposes of recording and writing up your

data.

Ad Libitum (Ad Lib) Sampling: In this method, the observer records as much information as possible in an

informal and non-systematic way (i.e. writing down whatever seems interesting or important whenever you

deem fit). While Ad Lib sampling can be beneficial for recording rare events, you run the risk of observer bias

(as you are recording what you personally find interesting or important – where one person may focus on

recording feeding behaviors, others may be more interested in socialization activities, etc.).

Focal Animal Point Sampling: This consists of a combination of 2 types of sampling techniques – focal and

point sampling. Focal sampling involves choosing a “target” animal and recording their behavior. In point

sampling, an observer records the subject’s behavior at the instant of predetermined intervals, such as once

every minute (which is how often you will be recording for this portion of your data collection). When

combining these techniques, you would record ONLY the behavior of your one “target” individual ONLY at the

predetermined time; you cannot record what is happening between these intervals of time, even if you

think something important or interesting is occurring. Unlike Ad Lib, focal animal point sampling records

behavior in a less biased manner (since you have predetermined recording times, as well as a key of behavioral

options from which you are selecting and recording).

For more information on the living primates, and primate behavioral observation, see Chapter 10 of your

BEFORE YOUR PRIMATE OBSERVATIONS: Creating your hypothesis

NOTE: You MUST turn these in to me for approval before conducting your research (DUE 11/1)

1. Write a hypothesis discussing the following two points: 1. what you expect to see during your behavioral observations, and 2. which technique you think will best capture the behaviors you are

expecting to witness. Your hypothesis can relate to topics such as feeding, socialization, sleep, climbing,

etc. – you are welcome to be as broad or specific as you’d like!

PRIMATE OBSERVATIONS: Conducting your behavioral data collection

1. You will do 30 minutes of Ad Lib sampling (where you will be continuously recording data – when you see fit to make a recording – for the entire enclosure/primate group) and 30 minutes of focal animal

point sampling (where you will be systematically recording data for one “target” subject once every

minute). I suggest using the timer on your phone to make this a little easier!

2. Take a picture of yourself at the zoo – you will include this on your cover page!

AFTER YOUR PRIMATE OBSERVATIONS: Interpreting the data

1. Create 2 bar graph representations of your data – 1 for the Ad Lib data and 1 for the focal animal point sampling data. For both graphs, the x-axis will be the types of behaviors you observed and the y-axis

will be the number of times (NOT number of minutes) you observed those behaviors.

2. Answer the below follow-up questions related to your data collection: (each question should consist of approximately 3-5 substantive sentence responses and MUST BE TYPED).

• Compare the Ad Lib and focal animal point sampling data. What types of questions could best be answered using Ad Lib sampling? Focal animal point sampling? What are the advantages and

disadvantages of each?

• Which bar graph was easier to complete? Explain your answer. Would there be a way (or multiple ways) to make the other technique easier to express graphically?

• When considering inter-observer reliability (assessing the rate at which different observers give consistent estimates of the same phenomenon) which technique do you think would work better?

Explain your answer.

3. Summary: (approximately 200-300 words in an essay format - MUST BE TYPED)

• Did your data support your hypothesis? Why or why not?

• What did you learn?

• What did you find interesting?

• What would you do differently next time? 4. Conservation at the L.A. Zoo: (approximately 200-300 words in an essay format - MUST BE

TYPED)

Select an endangered PRIMATE species from the list “Endangered and Critically Endangered Species

at the Los Angeles Zoo” (www.lazoo.org → Conservation → Endangered Species)

• What primate did you select (and what is their scientific name – genus/species – and subspecies if applicable)?

• Why are they endangered?

• What is their natural habitat/ecosystem? Where geographically - countries and/or continent(s) - do they usually live?

• Why is this primate important to the preservation and vitality of their natural habitat?

• What do they eat?

• What are some of their interesting behavioral and physical characteristics?

• What organizations (other than the L.A. Zoo) are working toward their conservation? What are they doing to achieve that goal?

• In general, why do you think conservation is important? Explain your answer.

Extra Credit Opportunity (10 points): During scan sampling, you are watching an entire group of

animals and recording the behavior of EACH INDIVIDUAL at predetermined time intervals. This

technique, while very similar to focal animal point, requires that you record the action of every primate

simultaneously. For extra credit, you can do an additional 30-minute observation session using scan

sampling. You will also need to complete a bar graph of behaviors to receive all 10 points.

COMPILING YOUR FINAL REPORT: Your finished project should include the following items:

5 points → Cover page (name, section number, date, project title, picture of yourself at the zoo), along with your

zoo ticket stapled to the front of your assignment (can be hand written or typed)

5 points → Approved hypothesis (with signature) (hand written)

10 points → Data collection sheets (hand written)

10 points → Bar graphs for the Ad Lib and focal animal point sampling data (can be hand written or typed)

10 points → Data collection follow up questions (must be typed)

10 points → Summary (must be typed)

10 points → Conservation at the L.A. Zoo (must be typed)

ANTH 101L: Primate Observation Project Hypothesis → Due in Lab by Friday, 11/1

Write a hypothesis discussing the following two points: 1. what you expect to see during your behavioral

observations, and 2. which technique you think will best capture the behaviors you are expecting to witness.

Your hypothesis can relate to topics such as feeding, socialization, sleep, climbing, etc. – you are welcome to be

as broad or specific as you’d like! Please be sure to do some research on the primate you intend to do your

observations of before creating your hypothesis!