Key Stage 4 Sociology
Key Stage Four Sociology
Teachers’ Notes
Aims and Outcomes:
- Discover more about Mass Observation and their research methods.
- Understand the difference between primary and secondary data.
- Explore the uses, values and limitations of each method.
Mass Observation was established in 1937 by anthropologist Tom Harrisson, film-maker
Humphrey Jennings and poet Charles Madge. It was designed to objectively gauge public opinion
on national and localised events. The research methods used by the Mass Observation team
included interviews, directives, questionnaires and ‘overheards’. Members of the public were
also encouraged to send in regular diaries of their experiences, and opinions on various topics.
File Reports were used to compile this data and record findings. Mass Observation used many of
the research methods that are required for an understanding into sociological research practice.
The following data was collected by the team to gauge opinion on Prime Minister Chamberlain’s
policy of Appeasement with Adolf Hitler and Germany in 1939.
Diaries
Diarist No.5445- SxMOA1/4/2/3 or 4
Diarist No.5376 - SxMOA1/4/2/3 or 4
Directive Replies
Directive Respondent No.1009
File Report
File Report No. 251, 5th July 1940 – SxMOA1/1/5
Secondary publication (includes statistical data, overheards and responses)
‘Britain’ by Mass Observation (Penguin Books Limited, 1939) – SxRefLibrary/3/31.
For each type of research method, students should consider the following:
1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this research method?
2. Once you have identified weaknesses, how would you rectify this when collecting your own
data?
3. Would this type of research method be useful in a longitudinal study?
This is a diary extract of Mrs M.C. Towler from 29th August 1939. She
briefly mentions her opinion on appeasement.
Diarist No. 5445 – SxMOA1/4/2
1
This is a directive reply by Pamela Slater. Members of the public were
asked a number of questions and the Mass Observation team would
record their responses.
Look closely at question three, which asked the respondents to list their
favourite politicians. As well as the four key questions, the students
could also consider; is there value in an opinion poll such as this?
Directive Respondent No.1009
2
The following extract from the publication ‘Britain’ by Mass Observation
consolidates some collected data, recording the answers to the
question: ‘What do you think about Czechoslovakia?’ (As part of his
Appeasement policy, Chamberlain conceded parts of Czechoslovakia to
Germany, but on the 30th September 1939 Hitler invaded the entire
country.) An observer asked six people on the street and this question
was repeated to 350 others.
‘Britain’ by Mass Observation (Penguin Books Limited,
1939) - SxRefLibrary/3/31
3
This is a File Report, which is a collection of data that has been written
up by a member of the Mass Observation team. Students should
understand that this is a secondary text and consider the implications
that this may hold with regards to its strengths and weaknesses.
File Report 251 – SxMOA1/1/5.
4
This is another diary response. Students may also consider the
‘provenance’ related to this source; could her occupation and status
perhaps influence her understanding of these events and her
perspective of them? Might this be considered a limitation or a useful
insight when collecting data?
Diarist No. 5376 – SxMOA1/1/5
5