The options available

Having looked at the various forms of behavioural measure, we now move on to consider the mechanical processes involved in recording them. The choice of the medium, or physical means, used to record behavioural observations has important consequences for the sorts of data that can be collected and the sampling techniques that can be used. Five basic methods of recording behaviour are available: video recording; written or dictated verbal descriptions; automatic recording devices; paper check sheets; and computer event recorders. The most flexible and commonly used methods are check sheets and computer event recorders. Using check sheets, an event recorder or any other method obviously pre-supposes that you have formulated a set of discrete behavioural categories.

Video recordings give an exact visual (and perhaps audio) record of the behaviour, which can subsequently be slowed down for analysis. Such date-stamped evidence is sometimes used as proof that the observer saw what was claimed and may be needed for inspection by others. Video recordings are useful for studying behaviour that is too fast or too complex to analyse in real time. Similarly, exact records of vocalisations can be made with an audio recorder and the sound patterns analysed later using specialised software. Digital technologies have largely superseded analogue methods. It is worth remembering, however, that when video recordings are stored on a computer they may be compressed and thereby lose quality.