Doing a Survey
Conduct statistical investigations, collecting data through survey responses and other methods; record and display data using digital tools; interpret the data and communicate the results.
Read this first
Ask a clear question. Record every answer. Then show what you found.
Ten children chose dog. That was the most popular pet.
Words you need
- Survey
- Asking lots of people the same question.
- Tally
- A mark you make each time, to help you count.
- Result
- What you found out.
Worked example
e.g. Find out the favourite pet in your class.
- Write the question. Make it clear. What is your favourite pet?
- Make a tally chart. Put a mark for each answer.
- Count the tallies. Turn them into numbers.
- Draw a graph. Then say what you found.
Say who you asked. Your class is not the whole school.
Practice
The pictures fade as you go. By the last few you are on your own.
1Which pet was most popular?with a picture
AnswerDog, with 10.
2How many children were asked?with a picture
Answer21.
3Is 'do you like animals?' a good survey question?with a hint
Need a hint?
What answers can people give?
AnswerNot really. Nearly everyone says yes.
4Why use tally marks?with a hint
Need a hint?
You are counting while people answer.
AnswerThey are quick to write and easy to count in fives.
5You only asked your friends. Why is that a problem?on your own
AnswerFriends often like the same things. It is not a fair picture.
6Name one thing to do before you collect data.on your own
AnswerWrite the question.
7What should you say at the end of a survey?on your own
AnswerWhat you found, and who you asked.
Think about it
1
Why write the question first?
One good answerSo everyone is answering the same thing.
2
Can one class speak for the whole school?
One good answerNo. Other classes might answer differently.
Common mistakes
Changing the question part way.
Then the answers do not match each other.
Only asking people who agree with you.
That gives a false result.