Studying Primates How to Design, Conduct and Report Primatological Research

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.

Joanna M. Setchell is Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Durham University and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Primatology. She is an international expert in primatology with an extensive publication record. She is currently President of the Primate Society of Great Britain and has served as Vice-President for Research of the International Primatological Society. She is co-editor of Field and Laboratory Methods for Primatology (Cambridge, 2nd edition, 2011).