A SIMPLE SIMULATION FOR TEACHING CAPTURE-RECAPTURE METHODS OF POPULATION ESTIMATION

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 simulation 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.