Primary Research - Initial Questionnaire

Based on initial secondary research into other projects around Hyde Park and LS6, the general consensus was that it never fully dealt with the issues at hand. HMO Lobby specifically listed issues that were brought up consistently during studies and council meetings, and made note that:

TACKLING THE EFFECTS: Responses to the Impacts
17A Student Response
Of course, the students in the locality generate the economic, social, cultural, physical and environmental impacts which cause the concern. The majority are oblivious, a minority exacerbate the situation (since the total is so large, this minority is still very numerous). However, some students do attempt to respond to the concerns.
· The student unions of the two universities have jointly established the LS6 Project, whose Mission Statement says “LS6 is suffering many of the problems associated with a large, transient student population. We want to improve life in LS6 for all its residents. By increasing participation in community action projects, we aim to improve the environment, reduce crime and build positive community relations.” The Project has been concerned with staging a Winter Festival and a bargain hunt bring-&-buy, with recycling and graffiti, among other things.
· The student unions of both universities run a range of volunteering activities, some of which contribute to Headingley, such as visiting the elderly or working with schools (like Royal Park Primary School, until it closed).
Students do not engage with long-term campaigns, like licensing, letting boards, parking, etc., they concentrate on short-term objectives. None of the students’ volunteering actually addresses the root causes of the impacts which cause concern; and most in Headingley simply ameliorate those impacts.

Vice on Hyde Park Unity Day noted that:

WHAT DO THE LOCALS SAY?

"I asked about her experiences and her response was mixed: "I think it's a nice idea; the original plan behind it was to unite students and local residents," she said. "But I'm not quite sure that it does that; I'm not sure how far-reaching it is other than the one day.""

Therefore we found the importance in having to conduct primary research, especially questionnaires and possibly focus groups, one for locals and one for students to gain insight into the issues they want resolved so that our approaches aren't biased.