The idea, step by step
Ask people or watch carefully
Data is information that helps answer a question. In a survey, we ask people. To learn which fruit our group prefers, ask: Which one fruit would you choose: apple, pear or banana?
An observation means looking and recording what happens. We could count the cars, buses and bicycles passing the gate. We do not need to ask the vehicles a question.
Keep the question fair
Ask the same question in the same way. Let each person choose one answer. Record it straight away so you do not count that person twice or forget a response.
Decide who you want to learn about. Asking only friends may not tell you what the whole class thinks. For a class question, give everyone in the class a chance to answer.
| Child | Choice |
|---|---|
| Ari | Apple |
| Bo | Pear |
| Cleo | Apple |
| Dara | Banana |
| Eli | Pear |
| Finn | Apple |
A common trap
Asking: You like apples best, do you not? Then calling the result a fair choice.
Instead: Ask a neutral question and offer the same choices to everyone.
See the thinking
Plan a fruit survey
Which question is fairer: Is apple the best fruit? Or: Which one fruit do you choose: apple, pear or banana?
- We want every child to make their own choice.
- The first question points children towards apple.
- The second offers choices without calling one the best.
Choose an observation
We want to know how many bicycles pass the gate in five minutes. Should we ask which bicycles children like, or watch the gate?
- The question asks about bicycles that actually pass the gate.
- Favourite bicycles do not answer that question.
- Watch for five minutes and record each passing bicycle once.
Check your understanding
To find the number of rainy days this week, would you survey or observe?
Show answer
Observe.
Look at and record the weather each day. Opinions do not change whether rain occurred.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Choose a method: survey or observe. You want to know each child’s favourite game.
- Choose a method: survey or observe. You want to count birds landing on a fence.
- Ari is recorded twice in a six-child fruit survey. Explain the problem.
- How many school days were recorded in the weather table?
Weather observed over five school days. Day Weather Monday Sunny Tuesday Cloudy Wednesday Sunny Thursday Rainy Friday Sunny - Which is fairer: Is red the best colour? Or: Which colour do you choose: red, blue or yellow? Explain.
- Plan a survey about three playground games. Write your question and one rule for recording the answers.
Read the worked solutions
- Choose a method: survey or observe. You want to know each child’s favourite game.
Ask each child which game they prefer.
Survey. - Choose a method: survey or observe. You want to count birds landing on a fence.
Watch the fence and record each bird in the chosen time.
Observe. - Ari is recorded twice in a six-child fruit survey. Explain the problem.
Each child should give one choice.
Check the original records and remove the repeated response.
One child has two responses, so the choices are not counted fairly. - How many school days were recorded in the weather table?
Weather observed over five school days. Day Weather Monday Sunny Tuesday Cloudy Wednesday Sunny Thursday Rainy Friday Sunny There is one row for each day from Monday to Friday.
5 days. - Which is fairer: Is red the best colour? Or: Which colour do you choose: red, blue or yellow? Explain.
It gives choices without calling one the best.
The second question. - Plan a survey about three playground games. Write your question and one rule for recording the answers.
Use the same question and choices.
Record each person once.
For example: Which one game do you choose: tag, skipping or ball games? Record one answer from every child.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9; SA Curriculum Mathematics 2026
Surveys/observations; lists/tables; creating displays; comparing representations and conclusions.
Official curriculum source ↗