Work Log Animal Behavior

Day 1: March 31, 2017

Goal: Research the basic information about the pets and draft out the research question
What did I do: Our group have decided whether we will use Guinea pig or hamster in the experiment. Thus,
we researched some basic information about hamster and Guinea pig. Our group decided to use the Guinea
pig as animal experiment because we found out that Guinea pig is a clever animal and easier to train than
hamster thus, Guinea pig is suitable with our experiment as well. In addition, our group came up with the
maze experiment and we will train the Guinea pig to find the way out of the maze. Next time, I will do some
preliminary research about the sexes of Guinea pig in order to develop the research question.
Source: http://petguineapigcare.com
http://pethamstercare.com

Day 2: April 18 ,2017

Goal: Finalise the research question
What did I do: I have researched some information about the differences in gender of Guinea pig. During the
research, me and the other members found out that there is the differences in traits in each gender such as
male Guinea pig tend to be more energetic, on the other hand, female Guinea pig tend to be more relaxed.
Thus, our group came up with the question of which gender of Guinea pig can learn to run the maze faster.
However, we hardly found the information about the differences of each gender especially the behaviour,
brain activity and the response in each sexes thus, in next class, our group will find the information about the
behaviour differences in other types of rodent and compare with the Guinea pig later on.
Source: http://guineapigcareonline.weebly.com/male-or-female.html
http://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm

Day 3: April 24, 2017

Goal: List and finalise the material list
What did I do: In this class, our group listed out all the materials that we want to use during the experiment
according to what Ms.Charlie said. We listed everything that we want in the google docs and submit it on
Edmodo. For instance, we ask the lab technician to buy the exercise wheels and the hidden hut for our
guinea pig. We did some researches and found that the guinea pig also want some safe place to hide. We
also requested to buy the toys as well because it will be used later on for the tricks to teach our guinea pig.
In addition, our group discussed about who will adopt the guinea pig after this experiment and Gam will be
the one who adopt the guinea pig. For this class, we did not successfully do the research regard to our plan
from last class because we need to submit the materialist first. We postponed the plan to next class instead.
Source: http://www.guineapigtricks.com

Day 4: April 25, 2017

Goal: Start outlining the proposal and assign the role for each person
What did I do: In this class, we started to outline the research proposal in the google docs based on the
outline that Ms.Charlie has given on the edmodo. There are many part in the research proposal such as the
introduction part, methodology part and the literature review part. In order to complete this proposal, our
group divided into small section and let the group members choose which part they want to do. I chose the
introduction part and Gam chose the background information part. For Tien Tien and Pear, they decide to do
the literature review part. Moreover, we also did some researched about the past experiment that did
similarly like our experiment as well.
Source: https://prezi.com/xz3wp8evgzww/mice-in-a-maze/

Day 5: May 1, 2017

Goal: Book the time with Ms.Charlene and finalise the proposal
What did I do: In this class, we have only few minutes to do the project because we did the lecture almost 50
minutes. For the proposal, we need to fix some parts according to what Ms.Charlene said. For instance, we
need to describe more about the methodology part such as how we will train the guinea pig and describe
each step in a little bit more details. Moreover, another significant thing that we need to fix in the proposal is
the use of the pronoun. The professional or officials proposal would not contain any word like we and our.
We also booked the time with Ms.Charlene so, she can talk to our group individually in a next few class. In
this class, we have not done any research due to the lack of the time thus, we will do the research next time.
Day 6: May 2, 2017
Goal: Decided which animals will be used in the experiment
What did I do: For this class, Ms.Charlene told us that the school will not buy the guinea pig for us due to the
budget problem. If we want to use guinea pig in the experiment, then we need to buy it by ourselves. Thus,
we need to decided which animals will be used in the experiment whether the hamster or guinea pig. We
discussed some advantages and disadvantages between guinea pig and hamster such as hamster is easier
to die compare to guinea pig. In addition, if we decide to choose hamster, we might need to fix the proposal
again especially the methodology part. Thus, we decided to use guinea pig in the experiment and buy it buy
ourselves. In next class, we will plan about where will be buy and who will buy the guinea pig.
Source: https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-differences-between-guinea-pigs-and-hamsters

Day 7: May 3, 2017

Goal: Fix the proposal and plan the materials that we will use for the maze
What did I do: In this period, Ms.Charlene talked to each group individually about the proposal outline.
However, our group already submitted the real proposal and there are some parts that need to be fixed
before submit it again. For my part, the introduction, I need to add more information about the classical
conditions and operant conditioning. Also rearranging the paragraph from the least specific topic into the
narrow topic. Last but not least, professional proposal will not include any pronoun word such as we and our.

Day 8: May 8, 2017

Goal: Be familiar with the guinea pig
What did I do: In this class, our group brought the guinea pig to school already. The guinea pigs were looked
very frightened because many people wanted to play with them. We build the cage for them and let them
stay in their cage so, they will be familiar with the surrounding and environment. We also put the toilet, food
and grasses in the cage as well. Our group played with them a lot in this class because we want them to be
familiar with us. As the time goes on, they started to settle down and received the food from us, however,
they still showed the fear sign.

Day 9: May 9, 2017

Goal: Be familiar with the guinea pig and start to conditioning them
What did I do: In the first half of the class, our group feed them with the milk because they are still very
young and require a lot of nutrition. We started to pick them up out of the cage so, they will get a chance to
be closer and familiar with us. In the second half of the class, our group started to conditioning them by
touching their head and giving them food after they allow us to touch. We also picked them out of the cage
and play with them outside. If they let us touch their head or play with them, we will give them some food or
milk. The female guinea pig starts to be familiar with us already while the male guinea pig still shows some
sign of fear during the training. For instance, hiding in the corner of the cage or under the stair.

Day 10: May 11, 2017

Goal: Start to do the maze and complete some part of the maze
What did I do: In this class, our group did not bring the guinea pig to school because there were a lot of
consecutive holidays during that week. Our group decided to start doing the maze and we already brought
the materials. However, there was some obstacles such as the cardboard was too weak and too small. We
needed to cut a lot of cardboard and connect it by the tape but, it did not work properly. Thus, our group
decided to change the materials by using another type of cardboard that is stronger. In next class, if we can
find another type of the card board then, we will start to do the maze again but if not, we will conditioning our
guinea pig instead.

Day 11: May 17, 2017

Goal: Finish cleaning the guinea pig cage
What did I do: For this class, our group decided to clean up the cage and move the cage on the table
because we did not clean up the cage since when we set up the cage. The guinea pig cage started to look a
little bit dirty and we were concerned that the guinea pig will be uncomfortable and show some sign of fear. If
this happen, it will really effect our experiment. We divided the group into 2 parts, me, Tien Tien and Pear
were cleaning the cage. Gam and Milly were conditioning them and feeding the milk and vitamin c for them.
Moreover, for safety and sanitisation, our group wore the glove and lab coat during the cleaning because we
were protecting from anything that could split on to our uniform.
Day 12: May 18, 2017
Goal: Redo the maze and at least finish drafting the maze on real card board
What did I do: In this class, our group already brought the materials that will be used for doing the maze. We
use another type of cardboard instead and it is very thick and hard. Moreover, our group divide the job into 2
parts, me, Tien Tien and Pear were doing the maze. Gam and Milly were conditions them and preparing
them to get ready for running the maze. As we played with them a lot, they started to get familiar with us and
start to play with us as well. We can obviously see the interaction and the progress from them. For the maze,
me and Tien Tien were drafting on the real cardboard and Pear was cutting the cardboard into pieces for
blocking the maze. However, we found some error of our maze design and we adapted some part as well. In
next class, we will try to finish the maze and start to teach the guinea pig how to run the maze.