The emphasis of this primatology field school is to teach students how to conduct research with a focus on actual data collection in field conditions. Training in research methods includes the fundamentals of measuring behavioural and ecological variables, but also introduces students to the collection and preparation of samples for hormonal analysis, nutritional analysis and the use of GIS in primate research. Daily activities and exercises are designed to demonstrate the realities of data collection; to help students assess the pros and cons of various data collection techniques in practise and to think in terms of quantitative measurements of key research variables.  Students will also be trained in the other skills required to be a successful researcher such as teamwork, problem solving, and logistical arrangements. Students will also be challenged with assignments that require they read the literature and critically assess the use of different types of methods in various fields within primatology. With all of this training, students are in a position to develop an accurate and realistic research proposal that is well grounded in current methods and literature.   The program includes both pre-departure classroom training and independent work, and actual fieldwork at Veun Sai-Siem Pang Conservation Area on two endangered primate species (red-shanked doucs and northern yellow-cheeked gibbons) and their habitat characteristics.

I have received approval from the Animal Ethics committee for a three year period to run this project and conduct behavioural research on the animals. As part of this approval, I will be allowed to take students to the field and will just need to supply the ethics committee with the names of students prior to departure.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

1. Define and explain types of behavioural and ecological data collection techniques and identify situations in which they should be used
2. Collect both behavioural and ecological data using the techniques taught in this course
3. Use a data set to perform basic calculations and statistical analyses
4. Turn a general area of interest into a relevant research question and determine what data will need to be collected to answer the question and the best methods to collect that data
5. Combine information from a variety of academic sources to understand the history of the species and country of interest and to place a research question or project in the context of current knowledge
6. Critically analyse current literature relevant to course material (methodology, primate conservation, primate ecology) and articulate ideas to the class

For this 12 unit course, the assessments will be as follows:

Methods Exam (10%) – LO 1

Daily data collection and analyses (35%) – LO2, 3

Student led discussion and 1 page summary paper (20%) – LO6

1500 word Annotated bibliography (10%) – LO5

3500 word Literature review and research proposal (25%) – LO4

Offered as an intensive 3 week fieldwork course in the Summer session. One weekend of pre-departure training at ANU will occur followed by 3 weeks in Cambodia at Veun Sai Siem Pang Conservation Area in Northeast Cambodia working with the assistance of Conservation Internaional and the Forestry Administration of Cambodia.

24 units of ANTH, BIAN, ARCH, BIOL, EMSC, or ENVS courses

This course does not assume any prior knowledge of field methodology, but students should have some familiarity with primatology, zoology, ecology or animal behaviour

Martin, P and Bateson P (1993). Measuring Behaviour: An Intraductory Guide. Cambridge University Press.