A simple simulation for teaching capture-recapture methods of population estimation

Calver, M.C., Porter, B.D. and Bradley, J.S. (1990) A simple simulation for teaching capture-recapture methods of population estimation. Journal of Biological Education, 24 (4). pp. 267-272.

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Abstract

The assumptions of capture-recapture models for estimating population size are reviewed, as a basis for arguing that the importance of testing for violated assumptions should be taught as part of the basic techniques. A simple simulations using either a playing board, counters, and dice or computers is described which can be used for demonstrating the importance of assumptions in the elementary Lincoln Index or adapted to a range of other models. A full listing of the computer program is provided. with directions for adapting it to a range of different microcomputers. The simulation has been successfully applied at senior secondary and first year undergraduate levels, although elementary statistical understanding on the part of the students was required.