Sampling and Statistical Methods for Behavioral Ecologists

This book describes the sampling and statistical methods used most often by behavioral ecologists and field biologists. Written by a biologist and two statisticians, it provides a rigorous discussion together with worked examples of statistical concepts and methods that are generally not covered in introductory courses, and which are consequently poorly understood and applied by field biologists. The first section reviews important issues such as defining the statistical population and the sampling plan when using nonrandom methods for sample selection, bias, interpretation of statistical tests, confidence intervals, and multiple comparisons. After a detailed discussion of sampling methods and multiple regression, subsequent chapters discuss specialized problems such as pseudoreplication, and their solutions. This volume will quickly become the favorite statistical handbook for all field biologists.

Behavioral ecology research raises special statistical problems that are generally not covered in introductory statistics courses. As a result, graduate students and researchers in behaviour, ecology, wildlife, fisheries and other branches of field biology often have trouble solving statistical design and analysis problems. This book bridges the gap, discussing concepts and methods from basic and intermediate statistics that have the greatest relevance to field biologists, pinpointing common statistical pitfalls and how to avoid them.