CHAPTER II.
PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS.
1. All survey is properly governed by the purpose for which it is
made
The purpose decides what is to be included, what excluded
A scientific survey is a survey of selected factors
This is not to be confused with the collection of facts to prove a
theory
The collection of facts is independent of the conclusions which may
be drawn
2. The survey proposed is a missionary survey
The difference between medical and educational surveys and missionary
survey
3. The survey proposed is designed to embrace the work of all
Societies
4. Definition of aim necessarily suggests a policy
We have not hesitated to set out that policy
We make criticism easy
5. Survey should provide facts in relation to an aim, so as to guide
action
6. Twofold aspect of survey—survey of state, survey of position
Survey is therefore a continual process
7. Possible objections to method proposed—
(i) The information asked for statistical
All business and organised effort is based on statistics
Every Society publishes statistics
(ii) The admission of estimates
The value of estimates
(iii) The difficulty of many small tables
Why burden the missionary with the working out of proportions?
The tables should assist the missionary in charge
(iv) The objection that we cannot obtain all the information
Partial knowledge the guide of all human action
(v) The tables contain items at present unknown