Description
Contemporary, thought-provoking yet utterly practical, this book provides an introductory text covering the use and misuse of behaviour tests applied to animals. By including illustrative examples from a variety of species, the book inspires the animal scientist to think about what a given behavioural test can be used for and how the results can be interpreted. This text includes: the dos and don'ts of running behaviour tests and interpreting the results; many clear, simple illustrations which make the information readily accessible, down to earth, practical advice yet a thorough, evidence-based approach; information on behaviour tests for a whole range of species from companion, farm, zoo, laboratory and wild animals; succinct yet comprehensive text, designed to be read cover to cover and stimulate further reading. This book is an essential item in the researcher's toolkit when embarking on and devising any animal behaviour test and is valuable to students, established researchers, teachers and practitioners of applied ethology, animal welfare science, and veterinary science.
Table of contents
- Part I: Setting the Scene
- 1: Five Things This Book is Not
- 2: Non-Test Observations
- 3: How to Choose a Test
- Part II: Types of Tests
- 4: Tests to Characterize the Animal
- 5: Choice, Preference and Motivation
- 6: Ability to Detect and Distinguish
- 7: Effects of Age and Treatment
- 8: Reinforcement and Punishment
- 9: Learning Capacity, Memory and Cognitive Ability
- 10: Genetic Components of Behaviour
- Part III: Additional Aspects
- 11: Other Test Considerations
- 12: Legislation, Guidelines and Ethical Considerations
- 13: Future Methodologies and Technological Advances
Readership
This book is an essential item in the researcher's tool kit when embarking on and devising any behaviour test and is valuable to students, established researchers, teachers and practitioners of applied ethology, animal welfare science, and veterinary science.
Reviews
Nielsen writes with an engaging and accessible conversational style which unmistakeably conveys her self-declared personal fascination with these topics and invites the reader into her perspective. I would definitely recommend this text as a valuable, accessible and concise launch point for understanding and improving behavioural testing across disciplines and species. - SM Abeyesinghe, Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
