The idea, step by step
Choose what you will record
A useful survey question tells people exactly what to answer. “Which of these three fruits is your favourite: apple, banana or pear? Choose one” gives one category per person. Decide the categories and the people you will ask before collecting the data.
Check the record
Record each response once, using a list, tally or table. Compare the total responses with the number of people asked. If twelve people each choose one option, the category counts must total twelve. Record missing answers honestly instead of guessing them.
| Choice | Count |
|---|---|
| Art | 5 |
| Music | 4 |
| Sport | 3 |
A common trap
Counting a person twice because they mentioned two choices.
Instead: State the response rule first. If the rule is one answer, clarify it rather than recording two votes.
See the thinking
Checking a total
Twelve children each choose one club. The counts are Art 5, Music 4 and Sport 3. Is the total consistent?
- Add 5 + 4 + 3 = 12.
- Twelve responses match twelve people with one response each.
Repairing an unclear question
“Do you like apples or bananas?” allows someone to like both. Improve it for a one-choice favourite-fruit survey.
- Say that one choice is required.
- State the categories clearly.
Check your understanding
Ten people each give one answer. The counts total eleven. What should you do?
Show answer
Check the records for a duplicate or recording error.
Do not change a count without finding the cause.
Your turn
6 questions · 9 marks · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Eight people each select one colour. The counts are Red 3, Blue 4, Green 1. Check the total.1 mark
- Nine people are asked for one answer each. The recorded category counts total eight. Give one possible reason.1 mark
- Improve this survey instruction: “Pick sports.”2 marks
- Record these responses in a frequency table: dog, cat, dog, bird, cat, dog.2 marks
- A tally has five groups of five marks and two extra marks. How many responses is that?1 mark
- Why is it useful to decide a recording method before asking a survey question?2 marks
Read the worked solutions
Equivalent correct methods earn the corresponding marks. Include units where asked.
- Eight people each select one colour. The counts are Red 3, Blue 4, Green 1. Check the total.1 mark
3 + 4 + 1 = 8.
8 responses; it matches. - Nine people are asked for one answer each. The recorded category counts total eight. Give one possible reason.1 mark
Check the original record rather than guessing a category.
One response may be missing, or one person may not have answered. - Improve this survey instruction: “Pick sports.”2 marks
Clear categories and one-choice instructions make responses consistent.
For example: “Choose one favourite sport from football, cricket or netball.” - Record these responses in a frequency table: dog, cat, dog, bird, cat, dog.2 marks
Count each of the six responses once.
Dog 3; cat 2; bird 1. - A tally has five groups of five marks and two extra marks. How many responses is that?1 mark
5 × 5 + 2 = 27.
27. - Why is it useful to decide a recording method before asking a survey question?2 marks
A prepared list or table supports an accurate record.
It helps record every response consistently and makes omissions or double counting easier to detect.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum Mathematics 2026
Scaled pictographs/column graphs; data collection; suitable displays; distributions; survey investigations.
Official curriculum source ↗