model choice in population estimation

[lionmonkey]

I am analysing what should be some fairly simple population data from some 4 day capture-mark-recapture trips. My question is whether people can comment on the merits of using CAPTURE's model selection algorithms over using the predefined models and choosing between them using AICc?

[cooch]

I am analysing what should be some fairly simple population data from some 4 day capture-mark-recapture trips. My question is whether people can comment on the merits of using CAPTURE's model selection algorithms over using the predefined models and choosing between them using AICc?

Latter are preferred - also gives you the ability to do robust model averaging (which is inevitably what you'll want to do). CAPTURE is rarely used anymore.

[lionmonkey]

many thanks cooch....watch for my post pleading for help on robust models tomorrow!

[cooch]

many thanks cooch....watch for my post pleading for help on robust models tomorrow!

The one thing which makes continued use of CAPTURE 'attractive' (for some users) is its comparatively small learning curve. MARK offers far more flexibility and utility for fitting closed capture models, but there is a significantly greater learning curve. To use MARK effectively for fitting closed (or any other) type of model, you'll need to read (learn) the material in chapters 1 -> 7 (for the basics), and then chapter 14 (for closed abundance estimation) in the following:

http://www.phidot.org/software/mark/docs/book/

If you have spatial 'information' about your captures, then you'll also want to consider DENSITY

http://www.otago.ac.nz/density/

(and related R package SECR)