1. Formulate an initial question and make preliminary observations.

The question(s) asked may stem from previous knowledge or observations and may initially be rather broad or quite specific. A period of preliminary observations provides an essential opportunity to become familiar with the subjects and their behaviour and to develop hypotheses and methods of measurement (Chapter 4).

2. Formulate hypotheses and make predictions. On the basis of preliminary observations and existing knowledge, formulate hypotheses: the more the better. These should make specific predictions. Choose observations or experiments that will best distinguish between the competing hypotheses (Chapters 2 and 3). Formulating hypotheses is a creative process requiring imagination.

3. Choose behavioural measures and a research design. Be reasonably selective. Choose measures that are relevant to the question and which will help distinguish between different hypotheses. Hypotheses can be tested by observing natural variation as well as by performing experiments (Chapters 3 and 5).

4. Define each measure. Definitions should be clear, comprehensive and unambiguous. Write down the definitions before starting to collect data (Chapter 4).

5. Select the appropriate recording methods. These will depend on the nature of the behaviour to be recorded (Chapters 6 and 7). In practice, steps 3, 4 and 5 are inter-related, since the recording methods available often influence the choice and definition of categories.

6. Practise the recording methods. Assess the reliability and validity of each category. Drop categories that are clearly unreliable and irrelevant.