Animal Behavior: Concepts, Methods, and Applications

Nordell, Shawn; Valone, Thomas

ISBN 10: 0190658711 ISBN 13: 9780190658717

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2016

Synopsis

EMPHASIZES CONCEPTS. Animal Behavior: Concepts, Methods, and Applications, Second Edition, takes a conceptual approach that highlights the process of science and the real-world applications of animal behavior research. In an engaging, question-driven style, Shawn E. Nordell and Thomas J. Valone offer readers a clear learning progression for understanding and evaluating empirical research examples.

FOCUSES ON METHODOLOGY AND THE PROCESS OF SCIENCE. Featured studies illustrate each concept and emphasize research methods, immersing students in the process of animal behavior research. The authors clearly identify the research question, hypothesis, and prediction for each featured study and then demonstrate how the methods allow the prediction to be tested.

HIGHLIGHTS REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS. To help students understand the broader significance of animal behavior research, each chapter contains examples of how various people and groups are applying the concepts to societal problems and issues.

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES

Bolded key terms, a running glossary, chapter summaries, and thought-provoking discussion questions provide additional support for students

"Scientific Process" boxes clearly and concisely lay out each step of the research process

"Toolboxes" explain essential skills or complex terms in the science of animal behavior

"Applying the Concepts" boxes provide examples of how animal behavior research is being applied to real-life problems

Diverse research examples represent all major taxa and highlight both classic and contemporary research

Beautiful illustrations and photos help readers visualize complex processes and connect with the natural world

About this title

About the Author

Shawn Nordell is Senior Associate Director for the Teaching Center at Washington University in St. Louis.

Thomas Valone is Associate Chair of Biology at Saint Louis University and Director of the Reis Biological Field Station.

Review

"This is a wonderful text. It is full of clear and informative examples that highlight major concepts in animal behavior, leaving students not with a list of terms to memorize, but a better understanding of how scientists think about animal behavior more broadly."--Eric Patterson, Georgetown University

"This text covers all the major theoretical topics we teach in animal behavior and illustrates each with concrete examples from current research. More than any other, this book gives students a firm grasp of hypothesis testing and experimental process."--Stan Braude, Washington University in St. Louis

"Animal Behavior, Second Edition, offers a completely different way of presenting material to students--it enables them to see 'science in action,' and thus the concepts come alive, rather than appearing as dull facts to be memorized. It is very well written and engaging, and students with even the slightest interest in the field will enjoy reading it! The focus on applications and current research is especially appealing and unique."--Miles Engell, North Carolina State University

"I was very excited to read the chapter on mating systems. I found myself more and more excited as I read through explanations of why systems existed, etc. My immediate thought was 'Students will get this!'. This book is written on a level that students can easily understand, and each chapter provides relevant and interesting examples of the concepts that it covers. The 'Scientific Process' boxes in each chapter are particularly useful, as they draw students' attention to experiments, including hypotheses, methods, results, and implications."--Melloni Cook, University of Memphis

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0190658711
• ISBN 13: 9780190658717
• Binding: Loose Leaf
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 528