A number of methods were used to collect information:
Official Statistics and other secondary sources: A review of all available official statistics including collection of import and export data and information.
Postal questionnaire: A questionnaire designed to collect basic information from producers, wholesalers, restaurants, hotels and retailers. The questionnaire is contained in Appendix 2.
Consumer interview schedule: Interviews with consumers, recorded on schedules, to collect information on demand, frequency of consumption, substitutes and consumer preferences. Consumers were interviewed at supermarkets, grocery stores and other food retail outlets. The schedule is contained in Appendix 3.
Retailer interview schedule: Interviews with retailers, recorded on schedules to collect information on products, delivery times and costs, orders and general trends. The interviews were held at all retail outlets where consumers were interviewed. The schedule is attached as Appendix 4.
Price Survey Form: A price survey of all fish and fish products was carried out at all retail outlets where consumers were interviewed. A copy of the form is attached as Appendix 5.
Interviews with producers, wholesalers and suppliers: Personal interviews were held with producers, wholesalers and suppliers of fish and fish products.
Field testing of interviews and questionnaires and data entry
The postal questionnaire, interview schedules and price survey form were designed and then field-tested in Harare. Following the field testing, the forms were revised before continuing the study. A coding system was used to enable the forms to be filled in quickly and in order to standardise the data for computer entry and analysis. The code sheets used are also attached as Appendix 3.
Confidentiality
In order to collect information from producers, wholesalers and other suppliers, confidentiality had to be maintained. Therefore every effort has been made to ensure that the results of the study are presented in such a way as to prevent companies from being identified. In some cases, the need for confidentiality has meant that some of the information obtained cannot be presented in this report.
