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Pre-test

The pre-test is not part of the speech corpus nor part of the pre-validation, if you plan to do one. The pre-test is the only way to eliminate all the bugs that are still in your procedures, your check lists, your software and in your staff.5.12

Never -- I repeat -- never skip the pre-test of your recording setup and equipment. Do it with cooperative speakers and do it way ahead of the scheduled start of the collection. We've never experienced a speech corpus production that worked without any kind of trouble right from the beginning.

Do everything exactly as you would do it in the real collection. Keep a log file to record all actions you are taking. Let your pre-trained staff test the prepared check lists and software. Don't let the developers of the software do it!

Shoot plenty of pictures for the documentation; later in the collection phase you will probably not have the time and will make the speakers nervous.

Do spot checks on the signals right after the recording. Send them together with your log files to your client / partners for comments.

If you're preparing a field recording, do the pre-test under exactly the same environmental conditions as planned for the collection; if possible on the same location.


next up previous contents
Next: Planning of Recruitment Up: Preparation of collection Previous: Check Lists   Contents
BITS Projekt-Account 2004-06-01