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Two types of data When you do a consultation you will be asking questions, the answers people give is called the ‘data’.
There are two types of questions, and two types of data. The two types of questions are ‘open’ and ‘closed’ and the two types of data are ‘quantitative’ and ‘qualitative’.
Type of question
Example Questions
Example Answers
Closed questions - Where people can only pick from a list of answers.
Do you have a brother?
How many sisters do you have?
How much do you like school or group?
Which of these is your favourite?
Open questions - Where people can say whatever they want
Why do you like your brother?
What annoys you about your sisters?
Why do you like school or group?
What is your favourite subject?
Quantitative data is data that you can count. So all the answers to closed questions will be quantitative, because you can count how many people answered ‘yes’, or ‘no’. Qualitative data is when people tell you what their ideas are, what they are feeling or what they like or don’t like. So open questions usually give qualitative answers.
We have included a questionnaire in our Active Kids Get Talking toolkit. But you might decide that another way of asking people for their opinion works better for you. Here are some ideas. You could use a mix of them.
A couple of people go into a class (with the teacher’s / group leader’s permission) to ask them questions. Anyone can put their hand up to answer. You might also ask the whole class to vote.
What you will need
You will generally need one person to ask the questions and one person to write things down.
Good points
If you go into every class you get to speak to everyone in school or group. With a vote you can get a lot of people’s opinions quickly.
Bad points
Some people don’t like talking in front of others.
Get together small groups of people and talk to them, this could be at break or in class time if you get the teacher’s / group leader’s permission.
A comfortable, quiet space with chairs. One person to write down the answers and one person to ask the questions.
You can talk to people in more depth. Some people come up with better ideas in a small group.
Can take a lot of time. People might be embarrassed to give their opinions.
Stop people in the playground and talk to them.
A clipboard so you have something to lean on when you are writing answers.
People might feel more relaxed. You can talk to lots of people. You can talk to people on their own.
You might not get to talk to everybody. People might not want to talk, they might want to be playing.
A list of questions on the computer for people to answer
Someone who can make an online questionnaire (you could use something like www.surveymonkey.com). Lots of computers.
Saves paper. Can be more interactive than paper questionnaires. Everyone’s answers can be brought together easily.
Can be difficult to make. Can be difficult to get everyone to a computer.
Paper stuck to the walls with questions written on them. People can write their answers on the paper around the questions.
A space that can be covered in paper. Lots of paper, and pens. People to watch the wall and help people if they don’t understand.
Can be fun. Allows people to be creative.
People can get carried away and write off the paper. It can be difficult to bring together all the responses.
Set up a video camera that people can come and talk to.
Video camera. Quiet space. A list of questions for people to answer.
Fun. Allows people lots of time. Good for people who don’t like writing.
People can talk too much, so it can be difficult to know what they mean.
Get people to text their ideas to someone on the council.
A number that people can text to and lots of posters telling people what to text about
Lets people tell you their idea whenever they think of it (unless they’re in class).
It costs money to send texts. People might use their phones when they’re not supposed to.
On your school or group website you might be able to set up a page where people can talk about their ideas and the Active Ideas.
On a website that is ok for pupils to use, a forum, blog or wiki (types of website that let people add their own comments).
Lets people see what others are suggesting. It can be used at lots of different times.
Can be difficult to collect all the ideas. Not everyone will be able to get onto it
In assembly you could have a list of questions (maybe on Power Point slides) that you could ask people. They put their hands up to vote to tell you their answers.
Your questions written up so everyone can read them. Someone to read out the questions. Lots of people to count the hands. One person to write down how many hands went up.
You get the views of the whole school or group very quickly. You can ask quiet a few questions. Data is already counted.
You don’t get any qualitative answers. People might vote the same as their friends, even though they don’t mean it.
Whichever methods you choose make sure you have all your questions written down and a plan of what you are going to do. You could use the Active Kids Action Planner.
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Checklists to organise your consultation and keep everything on track.
Use our step-by-step guide for your consultation.
Got any questions? Email Active Kids Get Talking or phone the helpline on 0844 415 8440