Mass Observation Project, Module III. Adam Matthew 

CONTENT In this most recent update to the Mass Observation Project, Module III introduces data from 2000 to 2009, which expands the original collection to include a span that ranges from 1981 through the early 2000s. The study, launched by the University of Sussex in 1981, built upon the initial 1937 one that assessed the lived experiences of British people, all with an eye towards their perception of significant historical and cultural phenomena. The archive comprises the “Directives” or questionnaires and volunteers’ answers sent in response to the study. The content includes all the Directives between 1981 and 2009, including a special section on the Silver Jubilee. The Directives were also distributed seasonally, except “Special” directives designed to address specific events, such as the “Special 2001” Directive, which addresses the events of 9/11. The themes addressed by the project are broad and include subjects such as friendship, the memory of World War II in the early 21st century, the recession, swine flu, and more, resulting in a rich collection of observational and primary source data.

USABILITY Beyond the addition of new material, the design of the Mass Observation Project database has not changed since the publication of Module I. Users can browse the archive by directive, filter by key topics or “Observer,” or browse all documents in the collection. Research tools include essays and videos on the history of the project and subjects in the Directives, a chronology tool that serves as an interactive timeline of events addressed in user responses, plus select online exhibitions that show ways to use response data to piece together a general sense of Britons’ perception regarding a particular subject or event. The Browse page is organized in an easy-to-use timeline that makes it extremely user friendly. Each directive is listed under the corresponding season and/or special topic, and a list of topics is provided under each title. The titles are descriptive and make it easy to navigate the collection. Several of the seasons associated with Module III are divided into multiple parts and themes, resulting in anywhere from one to three parts per seasonal directive (e.g., “Summer 2009 Part 1: Animals and Humans”; “Summer 2009 Part 2: Heaven and Hell”). Under each directive, users can browse and/or search through participant responses, which are available as high quality, text searchable scans, while tags allow users to navigate to related subjects or access additional responses from a specific observer.

PRICING Cost is determined by a range of factors that influence the size of the potential user group, including but not limited to Carnegie Classification and full-time enrollment. Email info@amdigital.co.uk for more about pricing.

VERDICT The Mass Observation Project remains one of the most unique and intriguing collections currently offered to patrons. The niche aspect of it being a British project should not stop one’s decision to purchase it; this is an impressive collection of observational, primary source data regarding world events and life in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.