Read on Twitter
I have had my 8YO and 3YO do numerous virtual research studies since quarantine and, fellow researchers, have I got some recommendations for you! #developmentalpsych #psychresearch #AcademicTwitter @APA
A
...
A
...
First, never ever EVER assume that there are two parents in the home. And especially don't assume those parents are "mother/father." And for the love of Piaget and all that's holy, do NOT ever assume two biological parents are raising the child.
Especially do not assume the child has a relationship with both genetic contributors (I am not using the the word parent, because parent is a verb, not just a noun) unless you want a terse email from me explaining why that is not the case.
Second, don't "other" gender identities that aren't in the neat and tidy binary of girl/boy, male/female. I'm a quant researcher I know you want to be able to look at gender interactions or effects. But that is just not how humans work and you chose to study humans #genderisfluid
If possible, make gender an open ended item (e.g., "What is your gender identity/identities?). If you can't handle that much data cleaning, use terms folx outside the binary boxes use like nonbinary, genderfluid, gender nonconforming, etc.
On to race. Why oh why do I see "White/Caucasian" still at the top of the list of race options? And, I kid you not, I had one where you could ONLY PICK ONE RACE OPTION! Put options in alphabetical order and let people pick all that apply.
Back to gender (it's a big one), if you directly ask the child about their gender identity and they don't choose one of your pre-set options, don't try to force their response into one of said options. This actually happened people. ("So you're a girl? Can I just put girl then?)
Now for less loaded suggestions...unless you want the child distracted by seeing themselves in the Zoom self view, have the adult turn self view off. One study my 3YO just made faces at herself the whole time 
Also, I get that not everyone can afford it, but know that even a few dollars is a big deal if you're three and that means you can save up for a new LOL doll. But if that isn't even an option, please give the kids a coloring book or activity book to download! It only costs time.
BIG ONE! Do not, I repeat, do NOT tell the child there are no right or wrong answers and then give them feedback about whether their answers are right or wrong. Or my 8YO will call you out on this and she very much will be right and you will be wrong.
This is incredibly obvious, but do not have an auto sign up system that isn't monitored then have no researcher show up at the time you signed up for or respond to your emails asking what for the love of clean data is going on.
Also obvious, be clear what time zone you are working in. And accommodate the time zone of the participant (e.g. give reminders with info about their time zone). I'm parenting during a pandemic while up for tenure, don't make me do the math 
Do make sure your tasks are engaging for children. I know it's easier for data collection to have your qualtrics page open and just click on the child's responses, but that just clutters up the screen with information that bores a prereader. Or primes a reader.
This momma's on a roll! I'm off to church, but I'm sure I'll update this later!
FWIW, I do want to add one benefit of the pandemic is getting to have my children contribute to science. I love that researchers are reaching out virtually and HMU if you want kid data!
FWIW, I do want to add one benefit of the pandemic is getting to have my children contribute to science. I love that researchers are reaching out virtually and HMU if you want kid data!
And more came to me! If the child is old enough to assent, they are old enough to have a say in what level of sharing their video recording will be. Ask THE CHILD what level of data use they are approve of (study only, conferences, public) and then check with the adult.
Also, it's appreciated if we're asked at what level we want the data shared AFTER the study. That way, if during the study the child smears chocolate on her mom's face (it's happened...) or other awkward moments happen, we can decide to keep it in lab and not shared.
Anecdotally, I also wanted to add that I haven't seen any connection between the prestige of an institution and the quality of the data collection process. Ivy League or open-enrollment university--no noticable differences.
I'm not a developmentalist, but I don't understand why some labs ask for the child's exact birthdate. Unless you are working with young infants, shouldn't the birth month and year be sufficient? Otherwise you are just collecting identifiable information for no good reason.
