Page 104 - Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design

National size and shape surveys for apparel design 67

The priority is therefore to set out the focus and objective for the survey, the popula-
tion, and the clothing products for which the data are to be used at the beginning of the
survey.
The following sections—infrastructure (3.4.1), preparation (3.4.2), implementa-
tion (3.4.3), and data storage (3.4.4)—will be confined to clothing-specific surveys,
though it is recognized that data collected may have secondary application in such
areas as health studies (Wells et al., 2008).

3.4.1 Infrastructure

A number of fundamental decisions need to be taken when planning a survey:
identification of the partners who will collaborate to promote and conduct the survey
l
source of funding for the survey: whether the data can and will be sold to third parties to help
l
to recoup survey costs, legal ownership of the results of the survey
l if and when participating clothing textile companies receive data in return for funding;
l whether the whole or any part of the processed data will be made publicly available;
l if and when press and publicity material needs to be prepared

3.4.1.1 Organizing committee
If the organizing committee and partners are to maximize the impact of a national
study, it is important to involve the government, leading clothing organizations,
research centers, and technology companies. A lead organization is required to man-
age the survey, the finance, press, and publicity and to negotiate all legal requirements.
Normally a committee will comprise representatives of government, clothing and tex-
tile organizations, major clothing companies, and universities.

3.4.1.2 Management of a survey

In addition to planning and organizing meetings, the management committee and team
handles issues involving the scheduling of the time, the distribution of the work, and
the completion of outcomes that are vital to the success of the survey.

3.4.1.3 Survey funding
As indicated earlier in Section 3.3, funding for surveys can vary, but financial support
can typically come from government, from clothing companies, or a combination of
both. Cash from government or from sponsor companies may support a whole study,
for example, India Size (2018) and Size North America (2018), respectively. In a
study where support comes from both sources, cash can cover equipment and staff,
and contributions from companies may be made in cash or in-kind shopping vouchers
for participants, the donation of staff time, equipment, and consumable materials such
as underwear. Underwear may be needed, which meets style and color requirements
for a scanner, local culture requirements, commercial partners, or those specified in
ISO 20685. In-kind items can be given a monetary value and offset against a notional
purchase price for the data.