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Studies on the habits of Zebu cattle IV. Errors associated with recording technique

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

D. H. L. Rollinson
Affiliation:
Animal Health Research Centre, Entebbe, Uganda
K. W. Habker
Affiliation:
Animal Health Research Centre, Entebbe, Uganda
J. I. Taylor
Affiliation:
Animal Health Research Centre, Entebbe, Uganda
F. B. Leech
Affiliation:
Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Herts

Extract

To obtain records of individual animals' habits when a small herd is observed for long periods of time, several observers are essential. The errors between observers were so much less than those between animals and between periods of observation that for most purposes records made by a succession of different observers will be adequate.

The errors of observations at 1 and 4 min. intervals, using the grazing records of ten animals, were 3·20 and 7·36% of the mean respectively. The latter figure being of sufficient accuracy for practical application, it is concluded that the 4 min. interval is suitable for records of a major habit.

The errors for the minor habits were large relative to the mean time occupied on them, but still reasonable in relation to the purposes for which work of this sort would usually be required.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1956

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References

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