Inconsistent surveys

[megpetrie]

Is there a way within Mark modeling to account for surveys that don't have the same amount of effort put into them (i.e., one survey was more extensive the others)?

[ganghis]

You might consider coding each survey as a different group and then introducing a site specific effort covariate into the part of the design matrix that codes for detection probability.

[abreton]

I assume by surveys you mean sampling occasions. If that's the case, then see Chapter 7 Section 8 "Constraining the Real Covariates" in A Gentle Intro to MARK for an example on how to code a sampling-level effort covariate in the design matrix. If survey effort was different at each site on each occasion then import your data as multiple groups (=sites) and set up the PIMs to allow p's to differ on each occasion and among sites so that you'll have enough p's when you get to the design matrix to input your effort covariate. If the second part of this suggestion isn't clear, consider reading all of Chapter 7.