Are subcutaneous transmitters better than intracoelomic? The relevance of reporting methodology to interpreting results

Biologists rely on published scientific papers to increase their knowledge and to guide their future work. Papers comparing techniques can be especially influential when several options exist for accomplishing a task. In this paper, I use a recent publication comparing the effects on birds of several methods for attaching or implanting radiotransmitters to illustrate the need for clear and accurate reporting of the techniques used. Because of deficiencies inmethodology, in stating methodology, and in following cited methodology I argue that the conclusions drawn by the authors are not supportable.