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Published
Toy Recommendation Lists and Television Toy Tests
Be aware that during the
Holiday shopping season, toys become the headline of newspapers,
magazines covers and television news. These lists and
tests you read and see on television are most often fabricated
public relations efforts to sell toys. There are recognizable
television figures that are receiving money, advertising
and free toys in exchange for good reviews of their product.
The most important thing
you need to do before selecting a toy is to be familiar
with the current skills and interests of the child you
are buying for and use this self test as a way to measure
the credibility of these published lists. How to Know
if a Published Hot Toy List or TV Toy Test is credible.
Initial Toy Selection
- Were
only toy companies who paid an entrance fee included
in the study?
- Did
the study evaluate the best toys or only the best
"new toys"? Don’t forget classic toys
are still selling well through 3 generations of children.
- Does
the result information imply something that the study
didn’t? If the study measures "skill development",
was any form of development measured
- How
many toys were reviewed and what was the ratio of
toys reviewed to toys recommended?
Expert
Panel
- What
were each expert panel’s credentials? What makes
them an authority on toys? Are they formally trained
in studying toys or do they have another career such
as a journalist, television spokesperson or teacher.
- What
is the panel relationship to the toy industry and
the toys evaluated? Did this relationship bias the
toy selection or toy evaluation process? Is there
any other vested interest such as financial gain?
Study
Methodology and Measurement
- Was
the play behavior of children observed collectively
or individually? In either case, how long did the
child have to play with the toys? With each toy? If
play behavior was observed collectively, what was
the total number of kids observed at once.
- How
are kid’s toy preferences formally measured?
What were the specific procedures?
- How
many children played with each toy?
- Was
the sample demographically representative of the population
to which the results were generalized?
- Did
the study only include one demographic? Did the results
only pertain to this demographic?
What
makes a toy good enough to be in the recommended toy list?
Does the information
explain what makes this toy a good toy or does it name
list the toy.
If you have a complaint
about a toy list or test you read or see, email me at
marianne@toytips.com.
Your opinion means a lot.
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©1997-2008 Toy Tips, Inc. All rights reserved. No reproductions of any kind without the written consent of Toy Tips, Inc. Toy Tips® and Kid Tips® are registered trademarks of Toy Tips, Inc.
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