The idea, step by step
Question, plan and collect
Choose a question that collecting data can answer. “How did children in our class travel to school today?” names a group and a time. Agree that each child records one main way.
Prepare a table and ask each child in the chosen group once. If someone is absent, report that instead of inventing an answer.
Display and explain
Check the total, create a labelled display and answer the original question with numbers. Identify the largest count and a useful comparison.
Consider a limit. Rain or family plans might change travel on another day. A careful conclusion describes this group today without claiming the result is always true.
| Way | Children |
|---|---|
| Walk | 4 |
| Car | 6 |
| Bus | 2 |
A common trap
A conclusion should report what we hoped would happen.
Instead: Use the real data, even if the result surprises you.
See the thinking
Use the data
Use the travel table to write a conclusion for these 12 children.
- 4 + 6 + 2 = 12, so the counts agree with the group size.
- Car has the largest count, 6.
- 6 − 2 = 4 more came by car than bus.
Improve a plan
Ari wants the class’s favourite lunchtime activity but asks only two friends who like soccer. How can the plan improve?
- The question is about the whole class.
- Two soccer-playing friends may not represent others.
- Ask each child once with the same choices and an Other choice if needed.
Check your understanding
Why should a survey name the group it asks?
Show answer
So we know whose answers the conclusion describes.
A class survey does not automatically describe every school.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Which is clearer: “Travel?” or “How did children in Room 3 travel to school today?” Explain.
- A class has 20 children, but 2 are absent. How many responses can a one-answer survey collect from children present?
- Give two useful column headings for a favourite-fruit table.
- Check the travel table total and name its most common way.
Sample data: How 12 children travelled to school today Way Children Walk 4 Car 6 Bus 2 - Use the travel table to compare walking with bus travel.
Sample data: How 12 children travelled to school today Way Children Walk 4 Car 6 Bus 2 - Give one reason travel results on Monday might differ from Friday.
Read the worked solutions
- Which is clearer: “Travel?” or “How did children in Room 3 travel to school today?” Explain.
Clear wording helps people give the same kind of answer.
The second question: it names the question, group and time. - A class has 20 children, but 2 are absent. How many responses can a one-answer survey collect from children present?
20 − 2 = 18. Do not invent absent children’s answers.
18 responses. - Give two useful column headings for a favourite-fruit table.
One names the category; one records its frequency.
For example, Fruit and Number of children. - Check the travel table total and name its most common way.
Sample data: How 12 children travelled to school today Way Children Walk 4 Car 6 Bus 2 4 + 6 + 2 = 12.
6 is the largest count.
12 children; car. - Use the travel table to compare walking with bus travel.
Sample data: How 12 children travelled to school today Way Children Walk 4 Car 6 Bus 2 Use the actual counts to support the statement.
Two more walked than used the bus: 4 compared with 2. Twice as many is also correct. - Give one reason travel results on Monday might differ from Friday.
The reason should explain how a child’s answer could change.
For example, different weather, family plans, absences or activities.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / South Australian Curriculum
Categorical/count data; recording; displays; comparisons; guided question-to-conclusion investigation.
Official curriculum source ↗