Studying Primates
How to Design, Conduct and Report Primatological Research

The essential guide to successfully designing, conducting and reporting primatological research.

Joanna M. Setchell (Author)

9781108434270, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 September 2019

360 pages, 3 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.3 x 2.1 cm, 0.53 kg

'Whatever background brought you to primatology and wherever you want to study primates- indeed whichever primates you want to study- this book will be an extremely useful guide… It should be essential reading for graduate/post-graduate students. I am sure more seasoned researchers will not only learn something but also find it very useful for teaching and mentoring.' Anna T. C. Feistner, The Primate Eye

Primatology draws on theory and methods from diverse fields, including anatomy, anthropology, biology, ecology, medicine, psychology, veterinary sciences and zoology. The more than 500 species of primate range from tiny mouse lemurs to huge gorillas, and primatologists collect data in a variety of environments including in the field, research facilities, museums, sanctuaries, zoos, and from the literature. The variability in research interests, study animals and research sites means that there are no standard protocols for how to study primates. Nevertheless, asking good questions and designing appropriate studies to answer them are vital to produce high quality science. This accessible guide for graduate students and post-doctoral researchers explains how to develop a research question, formulate testable hypotheses and predictions, design and conduct a project and report the results. The focus is on research integrity and ethics throughout, and the book provides practical advice on overcoming common difficulties researchers face.

1. Asking questions about primates
2. Ethics in primatology
3. Keeping science healthy: research integrity
4. Inclusive science
5. Understanding statistical evidence
6. Communicating ideas in writing
7. Introduction to the primates
8. Why study primates?
9. Identifying a research question
10. Finding out what we know
11. Reading journal articles
12. Formulating hypotheses and predictions and designing a study
13. Observing and manipulating
14. Choosing measures
15. Planning data analysis
16. Sampling and statistical power
17. Checking feasibility and finalising your plans
18. Writing a research proposal
19. Collecting data
20. Conducting fieldwork
21. Analysing and interpreting data
22. Writing a scientific report
23. Submitting to a peer-reviewed journal
24. Presenting your work at a conference
25. Conclusions.

Subject Areas: Primates [PSVW79], Animal behaviour [PSVP], Zoology & animal sciences [PSV], Anthropology [JHM]