The surveys have now closed and we got some fantastic responses, so thank you to all those who helped us out. The really interesting and most surprising result that we found was how innocent and nostalgic the responses were. When people think play they seem to automatically link it to childhood and happier times. So, to reveal some of the interesting results we found...

Points of interest from the ‘All Ages ‘ Survey:

• 69% women but only 31% men completed this survey, indicating that women found this topic more engaging than men.

• 98% of participants indicated play was relevant to their lives, 2% indicated it wasn’t.

• Throughout all the survey responses the words ‘game’ and ‘fun’ were mention 88 and 85 times respectively.

• Many simply describe play as the opposite to work.

• 45% of participants indicated that they devote 7-15 hours of their week to leisure, while 27% indicated they devote 16-25 hours.

• When asked what they did in their leisure time the ‘Internet’ and ‘social gatherings’ were tied in first place at 11%, at 10% were ‘television’ and ‘music’.

• When asked what forms of play participants participating in when they were children most were quite innocent and child-like in nature, having a distinctly reminiscent tone.

• When questioned what form of play they would participated in if they knew they were ‘free from judgement’ participants were more likely to answer with simple nostalgic games from their past like tiggy, juggling, splashing in puddles, dress ups and hide and seek.

• 34% indicated that participating in play made them feel happy.

• Overall, the answers given in the survey were reminiscent, with participants linking play to childhood and being child like.

Points of interest from the ‘Women 45-55’ Survey:

• 58% of participants indicated they were married, 21% were divorced.

• When asked who they lived with the response ‘spouse or partner’ and ‘children’ both received 43%.

• 89% indicated they had children, but when asked their ages we received no replies.

• When asked what they did in their leisure time most answers involved walking or watching television.

• Walking and eating healthily were also the main responses when asked what they did to improve or maintain good health.

• All participants watched television, 53% watched between 8pm-10pm.

• 89% indicated that they read newspapers.

• All participants used the Internet, most for work purposes.

• 83% listened to the radio.

• 84% believed play was relevant to their lives.

• 53% said their devoted 7-15 hours to leisure each week, but 42% said they only devoted 1-6 hours.

• When asked how they spent their leisure time ‘read’ and ‘television’ were equal first at 12%.

• 58% believed play brought them happiness.

The great thing about all the responses was the individuality that came through, particularly within our target demographic of 45 -55 year old women. These women seem to know exactly who they are and exactly what they want. We are now heading on to a content analysis that will compare the academic representation of these women with the media's representation, hoping for some interesting results that can help us gain an even greater understanding of women. Will keep you posted! Keep on playing