The idea, step by step
Start with an answerable question
A statistical question expects varied answers. Which fruit did our class choose for a picnic? can be answered by collecting one choice from each pupil. Decide who will answer, what the possible responses mean and how to record them.
Make choices clear and give people a fair chance to answer. Do not request private details that the investigation does not need. Publish anonymous totals, not pupil names.
Follow the evidence
Check the records and total the frequencies. Choose a suitable display, then write what it shows, using numbers as evidence. A class survey describes that class at that time. It does not automatically describe every school or prove why people chose as they did.
If some pupils were absent, state that limit. Choices may change if the survey is repeated. A useful conclusion is honest about who answered and what was measured.
| Fruit | Votes |
|---|---|
| Apples | 8 |
| Bananas | 6 |
| Oranges | 4 |
| Pears | 2 |
A common trap
A survey result proves what everyone thinks.
Instead: Describe the group that actually answered. Its result may not describe people outside the group.
See the thinking
A supported conclusion
What conclusion is supported by the fruit table?
| Fruit | Votes |
|---|---|
| Apples | 8 |
| Bananas | 6 |
| Oranges | 4 |
| Pears | 2 |
- The counts total 20 answers.
- Apples have 8 votes, more than any other individual fruit.
- 12 pupils chose another fruit, so apples were not chosen by everyone.
Improve a plan
Only three close friends are asked whether the school should buy more basketballs. How could the plan be improved?
- Close friends may share interests, so their views may not represent the school.
- Ask a wider, fairly chosen group from different classes using the same neutral question.
- Record who was included without publishing personal details.
Check your understanding
What is wrong with: Don't you agree our amazing new playground is best?
Show answer
It encourages a particular answer.
Use neutral wording, such as Which playground feature do you prefer?
Your turn
6 questions · 9 marks · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Which is statistical: What is 6 + 4? or How many books did each pupil read last month?1 mark
- Write a neutral question about preferred playground activities.1 mark
- 15 of 25 class members answer because 10 are away. State one limit of the result.1 mark
- Write one conclusion using numbers from the pet table.2 marks
Favourite-pet survey: one choice per student Pet Votes Cat 5 Dog 7 Bird 3 Fish 5 - A favourite-colour survey is graphed for display. Should it list pupils' full names?2 marks
- More birds are observed on Tuesday than Monday. Does this show Tuesdays always have more birds?2 marks
Read the worked solutions
Equivalent correct methods earn the corresponding marks. Include units where asked.
- Which is statistical: What is 6 + 4? or How many books did each pupil read last month?1 mark
It expects different answers from different pupils.
How many books did each pupil read last month? - Write a neutral question about preferred playground activities.1 mark
Do not suggest that one answer is better.
One example: Which playground activity do you prefer? - 15 of 25 class members answer because 10 are away. State one limit of the result.1 mark
Absent pupils may have different preferences.
It describes the 15 respondents, not necessarily the whole class. - Write one conclusion using numbers from the pet table.2 marks
Favourite-pet survey: one choice per student Pet Votes Cat 5 Dog 7 Bird 3 Fish 5 5 + 7 + 3 + 5 = 20.
7 is the greatest category frequency.
Dogs were the most popular single choice, with 7 of 20 votes. - A favourite-colour survey is graphed for display. Should it list pupils' full names?2 marks
The question compares colour choices, not individuals.
No. Anonymous category totals are sufficient. - More birds are observed on Tuesday than Monday. Does this show Tuesdays always have more birds?2 marks
Weather, observation time and other conditions may differ.
Collect more comparable observations before making a wider claim.
No. Two observations do not show what happens every Tuesday.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum 2026
Data types/validation; mode; suitable displays; line graphs; statistical investigations.
Official curriculum source ↗