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Directive Replies 1939-55
From January 1939, Mass-Observation produced a monthly questionnaire which it distributed to members of the volunteer panel. The questionnaire was known as a 'directive'. Here you can search to find out which writers wrote about particular topics.
About the respondents
Over 3,000 people took part in this project between 1939 and 1945,
although for any one month, the number of replies received never exceeded
500 and was usually much less.
Unfortunately no directive replies for the year 1941 have survived although there is no doubt that directives were sent out that year and replies were received.
About the subjects
One of Mass-Observation's chief concerns was the study of civilian
adaptation to wartime conditions. Most of the directive questions
dealt with food and clothing rationing, evacuation of children,
air raids, housing, transport, conscription, the Armed Forces, war
work, separation from loved ones, health and so on.
There was also an interest in people's reactions to the news. Reactions to government propaganda campaigns were monitored as well as views on newsreels, newspapers, BBC Radio and the cinema. Opinions were solicited on the progress of the war, political leaders and other nationalities. Some questions were repeated at intervals.
Questions on wider issues - class, race, marriage, money, health,
education, and especially people's hopes and fears for the postwar
period - were also included.
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