Understand the idea.
Choose what you will record
Before collecting data, decide what you want to find out and who should answer. Offer clear categories and state how many choices each person may make. That rule tells you how to count the responses.
Asking for one favourite among apple, banana and pear gives one category for each person who answers. Asking whether someone likes apples or bananas can give two answers, so it needs a clearer one-choice instruction.
Check the record
Record each response once in a list, tally or table. After collecting, add the category counts. If every person gives one answer, the response total should equal the number of people who answered.
A matching total is a useful check, but also check that responses were entered in the correct categories. If a response is missing or unclear, check the record or ask again; do not guess.
| Choice | Count |
|---|---|
| Art | 5 |
| Music | 4 |
| Sport | 3 |
See the method in action.
Checking a total
Twelve children each choose one club. The counts are Art 5, Music 4 and Sport 3. Is the total consistent?
Worked solution
- 1
Add the Art and Music counts.
Each count represents a different group of children who chose one club.
- 2
Include Sport.
All three club categories must be included in the total.
- 3
Compare with the number of children.
Twelve one-choice responses are consistent with twelve children answering once each.
Yes; the counts total 12.
Repairing an unclear question
“Do you like apples or bananas?” allows someone to like both. Improve it for a one-choice favourite-fruit survey.
Worked solution
- 1
Ask for a favourite instead of asking what someone likes.
A person may like both fruits, but the survey needs a single preference.
- 2
Name the two available choices.
Stating apple and banana makes the response categories clear.
- 3
Write: “Which is your favourite: apple or banana? Choose one.”
The wording explicitly asks for exactly one of the offered answers.
For example: “Which is your favourite: apple or banana? Choose one.”
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
Ten people each give one answer. The counts total eleven. What should you do?
Show answer & reasoning
Check the records for a duplicate or recording error.
Ten people giving one answer each should produce 10 responses. A total of 11 suggests a duplicate or another recording error; check the original records before changing a count.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions · 9 marks
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
.
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
.
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 ↗