Abstract: An important part of the planning of any project is the construction of a detailed protocol or research plan. This should be detailed enough that someone else could read it and see exactly what was done. Decisions need to be made about the following: (i) the number of independent statistical units in the study (sample size); (ii) the number and type of observational samples that will be taken from each independent unit; (iii) the length and interval between these samples; (iv) whether there will be repeat observations on the same animal; (v) whether it will be necessary to recognize individual animals; and (vi) the order in which observations will be made. It is very important to try out this protocol with a pilot study to make sure that it is realistic and feasible. The protocol may need to be altered in the light of a preliminary study.

Keywords: sample size, sample length, repeat observations, order effects, individual recognition,