Data Collection : Bad Example

Here is an example data collection form that could be used to collect information about new members for a youth club :

This form has been designed very poorly. It is not clear what it is a membership form for. The purpose of the "No. of GCSEs you expect to get" question is not clear. The person who completes the form does not know whether to write the date as 12/03/87 or 12th of March 1987. And there is no way the person completing the form can write in their membership number - they haven't joined yet!

By following an appropriate set of guidelines it is easy to design data collection forms that are much more suitable than this example.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004