Ethological Station Sennickerode, Institute for Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Gleichen, Germany
A data collecting system based on an Apple MessagePad 120, sized approx. 20 x 10.5 x 3 cm and weighing 600 g (incl. storage battery), is presented. Each entry contains actor, behavior category, recipient and location. Transforming the handwriting input into an electronic dataset added with counter, runtime and realtime needs less than one second. In every state during the running program it is possible to open a clipboard for ad-libitum notes. Closing this clipboard these notes are provided with the opening-realtime and stored as electronic ink', i.e. without time-consuming transforming. The whole set of sampling methods used in ethology are implemented in this program. The length of records can be restricted by minutes or intervals. The passive pen technique has the favourable effect that it is possible to protect the MessagePad from rain and dust simply by covering it by a transparent bag.
In four successfully conducted behavioural research projects on semi-free-ranging common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) using several sampling methods the system has been working very successfully. The data transfer to Mac or PC is simple; characteristics like baud rate, handshake or number of data bits can be selected. The transferred files are suitable for direct import in, for example, MS-Access.
Three features characterize the usability of the new system: