It is essential to choose the correct methodology when carrying out primary research. There is a range of approaches I could take, though not all would be appropriate for the project or my target audience.
Questionnaire
A questionnaire is an effective way of getting large amounts of data in a short amount of time. They are also effective as they are anonymous and the children won't feel pressured under the influence of a stranger. The questionnaire can take place in class in a familliar setting with the assistance of a teacher. The negatives to the questionnnaire are that I will not be present to give assistance or answer any questions. I will not be able to decide the ways in which the questionnaire is completed, e.g. individually or in a group. This may cause children to copy eachothers answers if they are allowed to discuss with their friends.
Interviews
Interviewing children will require me to get a DBS check and permission from the school and parents. This could be a lengthy process, though it could be beneficial. Interviewing children will allow me to see their responses and note their tone of voice, which cannot be achieved by a questionnaire. The children could become shy talking to a stranger and this may hinder the authenticity of their answers.
Observations
Observing children in a natural setting in their responses to design could give interesting results, though this may prove difficult within the school. Children may act differently when they know they're being watched, and there are a lot of different variables to an observation.
I have decided to do a questionnaire as it is quick, easy to gather large amounts of data and given my audience it could be difficult to get proper access to the children to conduct an interview. They might even become shy around strangers and this could affect their answers.
An ethics form must also be completed to ensure the study is within the guidelines. Evidence of completion is shown below:
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