xix
has been given at the end of the book, but this is not sufficiently
explanatory in the absence of a copy of the original schedule*
Dr. Mann, Mr. Ranade and Mr. Aiyyar have, as can be easily
inferred from their studies, used a schedule and a questionnaire.
Unfortunately, neither in Dr. Mann's studies nor in that of Mr.
Ranade is the schedule or the questionnaire published. Mr.
Aiyyar, however, gives at the end of his work five* statistical
forms for collecting data and has followed Dr. Slater's question-
naire.
In the light of the above analysis of the scope and the method
of the studies so far made, we shall now mention the special
features of the study that we have made. So far as the scope
is concerned, we have followed the standard study and, in addi-
tion, have dealt with almost all the topics that have received
attention by other investigators, and have added a few more. The
following are some of the special features of this study;
(1) a detailed examination of agricultural methods,
(2) the description of 'purely personal possessions' like furni-
ture, ornaments, cash and others—of the village,
(3) a thorough study of the labour problem of the village,
(4) a comprehensive discussion of the marketing organization
of the village,
(5) a discussion of the general economic conditions of the
people by the application of tests, usually applied by Eco-
nomists and Settlement Officers, for gauging the prospe-
rity or otherwise of rural areas,
(6) an attempt to consider the relation between the total
Government dues paid by the village and the benefit re-
ceived by it in return,
(7) greater details about the relation between the people and
the state,
(8) greater details about indebtedness and credit organiza-
tion of the village and
(9) a programme for the reconstruction of the village*
We have also added a number of appendices, some giving
original data collected on the spot, and others explaining the
method followed in making certain calculations. So far as the
method of collecting the data is concerned, we have given the
schedule used by us in an appendix.
A few words about the salient features of the method we have
followed in this study, may not be deemed out of place here. We
filled in certain columns in the schedule on the spot. The remaining
columns were filled in after making calculations which have been
explained in the text, foot-notes and appendices. We may how-
ever, mention the important features of the methods used in
making some of these calculations.