What is R&D work?
Research and development (R&D) work is a cornerstone of ethology.
Without R&D, it would be impossible to understand animal behavior or to answer questions relating to the incomprehensibility of a given behavior or observed situation.
This kind of work allows us to address a problem in a scientific and objective way, freeing ourselves from as many possible biases as possible. In other words, the idea is to observe animals and their environment in a neutral, unbiased way.
As far as animal welfare is concerned, a thorough knowledge of the species' behavioral biology is required in order to properly understand the problem and improve the well-being of the animals in question. Observations are made without preconceived ideas, by "looking through the animals' eyes", i.e. without anthropomorphism. The ethologist is interested in the needs and condition of the animals.
In both cases, whether research is carried out in ethology or more specifically in the field of animal welfare, a universal methodology is used, invariably following the same steps in a well-established order. Each stage is orchestrated in an orderly and precise manner, as follows:
- Defining the problem
- Perform bibliographic research
- Design and implement an experimental protocol
- Observe and record the behavior of the animals observed
- Collecting data
- Statistical processing of this data
- Analyze results
- Draw conclusions and extract knowledge from these analyses
- Passing on this knowledge through teaching, consulting, publications, etc.
Bankiva will support you throughout the design and implementation stages of your R&D work in ethology and animal welfare.
Bankiva is recognized by the French Ministry of Research as an approved body for the Research Tax Credit (CIR).