When you go out to collect data:

Remember to work in pairs or a small group - do not go off on your own.

Explain who you are and what you are doing,
e.g. 'Excuse me, we are pupils from ...and we are gathering information to help complete a project on shopping centres. Please could you spare a few moments to answer some simple questions?'

Always be polite -ask if a shopper can spare the time, and thank them even if they can't stop and answer your questions;

Talk clearly, and provide as much help as you can.

It should take no more than 5 minutes to collect data using the Shopping Survey Questionnaire.

When you return to the classroom, your data will be entered onto a computer database. The database provides a convenient way to add your data to that collected by other members of your class, and it will also help you to present results and begin to look at some of the issues in greater detail.

This work is reproduced from materials produced by The Geographical Association. This material is now out of print and used under this understanding.

Additional resources can be found under the Becta site.