In the light of the threat to biodiversity and the need for effective and animal-friendly research methods, the aims of this study were to 1. investigate the relationship between scientific knowledge and the conservation status of dormice in Europe. A literature review was carried out to determine which species have been the subject of the most research and whether the Habitats Directive has had an impact. The hypothesis is that the dormouse species listed in the Habitats Directive have been the subject of extensive research, while those not listed have been neglected. 2. investigate the preference of dormice for nest-boxes or nest-tubes using a choice experiment. The hypothesis that dormice use nest-boxes and nest-tubes randomly according to their availability was tested. 3. develop and field test methods for the examination, marking and sampling of garden dormice, taking into account the welfare of the animals and the usability of the samples obtained. Publication 1: The research results on the four Central European dormouse species presented at the International Dormouse Conferences between 1990 and 2017 and published in the scientific literature since 1950 were analysed. The number of presentations increased over time for the hazel dormouse (N = 200) that is listed in the Habitats Directive and the edible dormouse (N = 150), while the number of presentations on the garden dormouse (N = 46) declined until 2014 and only appeared to increase again in 2017; there was no trend for the forest dormouse (N = 67) which is also listed in the Habitats Directive. The number of published scientific articles increased for all species except the garden dormouse. This focus reflects the wide distribution of the hazel dormouse and the edible dormouse, but does not fit well with the conservation status and current threats and conservation efforts for the garden dormouse. The results presented can be used to guide the reassessment of future research priorities and conservation strategies, as well as the implementation of new monitoring projects and ecological studies. Publication 2: In a two-year selection experiment, two methods for trapping and translocating hazel dormice were compared. This comparison can be used to guide the selection of methods in research or applied projects, and to clarify the role of competition for safe hiding places in the dormouse's habitat choice in this context. While the proportion of nest-boxes (n=156) and nest-tubes (n=156) occupied by dormice remained stable in both years (9.3% and 9.6%), the proportion of boxes and tubes occupied by Apodemus mice was lower in the second year (26.5% and 0.2%). In the first year, dormice clearly preferred nest-tubes over nest-boxes (pweiterlesen