Abstract
The Observer 3.0 (Noldus, 1991) was used as the base for a time-saving fine analysis of animal behavior. A PC controlled a shuttlebox and a shuttlebox control unit. Learning behavior was recorded on videotapes by an S-VHS camcorder with vertical interval time code (VITC), which was used to generate an observational data file (ODF). The observational system was enhanced by automatically recorded status signals from the PC as event markers on the soundtrack of the videotape. These signals were used to subdivide a training session into numbered trials during generation of the ODF. They were later used for a PC-aided fine analysis of behavioral events, such as attention responses (AR) and orienting responses (OR) during shuttlebox learning. In this way, a large number of both automatically inserted PC event markers and manually inserted, key-defined behavioral events were registered and analyzed effectively in a semiautomatic fashion. The system is illustrated with an analysis of shuttlebox avoidance data from gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Bischof, A., Stark, H., Wagner, T., &Scheich, H. (2000). The inhibitory influence of an acquired escape strategy on subsequent avoidance learning of gerbils.Neuroscience Letters,281, 175–178.
Noldus, L. P. J. J. (1991). The Observer: A software system for collection and analysis of observational data.Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers,23, 414–429.
Noldus, L. P. J. J., Trienes, R. J. H., Hendriksen, A. H. M., Jansen, H., &Jansen, R. G. (2000). The Observer Video-Pro: New software for collection, management, and presentation of time-structured data from videotapes and digital media files.Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers,32, 197–206.
Stark, H., Bischof, A., Wagner, T., &Scheich, H. (2000). Stages of avoidance strategy formation in gerbils are correlated with dopaminergic transmission activity.European Journal of Pharmacology,405, 263–275.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bischof, A., Stark, H., Blumenstein, R. et al. A semiautomatic method for adding behavioral data to videotape records in combination with the Noldus Observer system. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers 33, 549–555 (2001). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03195415
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03195415