Understand the idea.
Begin with a focused question
Begin a survey with a focused question and a clear group of people to ask. If you want to know your class’s preferred playground game, decide the game choices and how each class member can give one response.
Plan what to do if someone chooses none of the offered games or does not answer. Record only information needed for the question: preference counts usually do not need names or private details.
Report what the data can show
After collecting, check the responses and totals, then choose a clear display. Answer the original question using the largest count or another relevant comparison. State which group answered and which choices were offered.
A class survey describes its respondents; it cannot establish what every child in the school prefers. Mention missing responses or an uneven choice of people, and use that limitation to improve the next survey.
| Game | Votes |
|---|---|
| Chasey | 7 |
| Skipping | 5 |
| Handball | 4 |
See the method in action.
A supported conclusion
A practice class survey records Chasey 7, Skipping 5 and Handball 4. Write a conclusion.
Worked solution
- 1
Check the total number of responses.
The conclusion should state the group size represented by these counts.
- 2
Compare the game counts.
Chasey has the greatest count among the three offered games.
- 3
Write a conclusion limited to these responses.
Chasey was the most popular of the three games among the 16 respondents; these data do not describe all children.
Chasey was the most popular of the three games among these 16 respondents.
A limitation
Only children playing football were asked which lunchtime sport is best. Explain a limitation.
Worked solution
- 1
Compare the intended group with the people asked.
The question concerns lunchtime sport preferences, but only children already playing football were included.
- 2
Explain how that selection may affect the results.
Football players may prefer football, while the views of children doing other activities are missing.
- 3
Suggest asking the intended class group fairly.
Including children across the class gives everyone in the target group an opportunity to respond.
The sample may favour football; ask the intended class group fairly.
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
What should you check before drawing a graph of a one-vote survey?
Show answer & reasoning
That every response is recorded once and the category total matches the valid responses.
Check that every valid response appears once and that the category counts add to the number of valid responses. Resolve duplicates or missing entries before graphing; the graph would otherwise repeat the recording error.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions · 11 marks
Read the questions online
- Write a clear one-choice survey question about favourite classroom reading places.2 marks
- List the stages of a small survey in order.2 marks
- Use the supplied game table to find the total responses.1 mark
Practice survey Game Votes Chasey 7 Skipping 5 Handball 4 - For those game counts, how many more chose Chasey than Handball?1 mark
Practice survey Game Votes Chasey 7 Skipping 5 Handball 4 - Twenty classmates are asked, but only 18 answer. Should the report say 20 responses? Explain.2 marks
- Plan a small survey with a question, group, recording method and suitable display.3 marks
Read the worked solutions
Equivalent correct methods earn the corresponding marks. Include units where asked.
- Write a clear one-choice survey question about favourite classroom reading places.2 marks
Equivalent clear questions with defined choices are valid.
For example: “Which reading place do you prefer: a desk, the mat or a beanbag? Choose one.” - List the stages of a small survey in order.2 marks
Planning precedes collecting and conclusions follow the data.
Question and plan; collect; check/organise; display; interpret/report. - Use the supplied game table to find the total responses.1 mark
Practice survey Game Votes Chasey 7 Skipping 5 Handball 4 .
16. - For those game counts, how many more chose Chasey than Handball?1 mark
Practice survey Game Votes Chasey 7 Skipping 5 Handball 4 .
3. - Twenty classmates are asked, but only 18 answer. Should the report say 20 responses? Explain.2 marks
People asked and valid responses are not always the same.
No. Report 18 responses and note 2 missing answers. - Plan a small survey with a question, group, recording method and suitable display.3 marks
The group should match the question, categories should be clear, and totals should be checked.
Many valid plans exist; for example favourite fruit, all classmates, one vote each in a tally table, then a column graph.
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 ↗