The 22 students and 3 faculty members were divided into ten groups of 2 to 3 members each. The groups were formed in such a way that each - except the one allotted to Patdi town which did not require much do travelling - had either a faculty or a male member. 

Each group was allotted 5 to 6 villages and told the ways to reach different villages briefly (as best known. In some cases, students later discovered new routes and even new villages) Groups were instructed to also cover the villages which were on the way even if they were not in the original list given to them.

On both days, the groups started from Ahmedabad at 7 am and reached Patdi around 9:15 a.m. According to the location of the villages allotted to them, groups were dropped before Patdi off the highway or at Patdi. From there, groups reached the villages either by foot, or available transport bus or chagada (motorcycle-rickshaw). In one or two cases groups received lifts from government vehicles if officials happened to be present and going to the same destination.

On reaching a village, students were instructed to contact the school principal. If the principal was not available, a senior teacher was contacted. In many cases, the principal or teacher was not in the school, but some children went to their homes in the village and called them. Only if this was not possible did the group members speak to some person from the village not directly connected to the school. 

The groups then filled up the School Data Form by speaking to the principal, teacher or other village member. The data was collected by direct observation as well as on the basis of the information mentioned by the respondent. The main items in the form were:

• Name of the Village 
• Name of the School
• Principal's /Teacher's Name
• Village Population
• Which classes are there in the school
• Number of Students classwise and total
• Number of classrooms
• Number of classrooms having cracks or some damage
• Fully damaged or destroyed classrooms
• Estimated Cost for Repairing
• Number of teachers
• Teachers required 
• Number of teachers who stay in the village and number coming from outside
• Any other comments

The question seeking estimation of cost of repair should not be considered authentic as neither the surveyors nor the village people may have the ability to provide the correct value.

Then the groups were asked to actually see the damaged parts or rooms of the school and jot down any comments on the form. If required (and a camera was available a total of 4 were taken - ) photographs were taken.

The groups were also asked to note their observations on the seriousness of the damage in their opinion. After this they were to move on to the next village as fast as possible. If it was found that a village was very far and no transportation was available, the groups were instructed to move on to the next village and cover the skipped one later, if possible. All groups were asked to reach a designated spot in Patdi between 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. and leave for Ahmedabad.

In practice, the groups were often delayed he question seeking estimation of cost of repair should not be considered authentic as neither the surveyors nor the village people may have the ability to provide the correct value.

In practice, the groups were often delayed and reached Ahmedabad after 11 pm on both days.