The National Panel responds: Mass Observation Directives 1939-1945

This essay seeks to provide a brief introduction to the National Panel of volunteer writers and the Directives that were issued to them by Mass Observation specifically in the years between 1939 and 1945; by examining the Panel itself, the responses given and Mass Observation’s original motivations and practices it will highlight some of the themes and criticisms that can be considered and explored when using the data generated.