Collect and record data
A clear starting point, worked steps and space to practise.
Start here
Good data starts with a clear question and a consistent way to record each answer.
Test the question with one person first. Avoid overlapping categories or wording that pushes people towards an answer.
1 Work through these steps
- Decide exactly what you want to find out.
- Choose who or what to count or measure.
- Record each result once, using clear categories and units.
- Check totals before making a display.
2 Follow a worked example
You ask 12 children to choose one favourite fruit. Five choose apples and four choose bananas. The rest choose pears. How many choose pears?
Reduce diagram
Scroll across the diagram if needed. Keyboard users can focus the diagram and use the arrow keys.
- Each child chooses once, so there are 12 responses.
- 5 + 4 = 9 have been counted.
- 12 − 9 = 3 children choose pears.
3 Try it yourself
Show each step on paper or open Working out. Then check the answer.
-
A tally has groups of 5, 5 and 3 marks. How many responses?
Check answer 1
Answer: 13 responses
5 + 5 + 3 = 13.
Scratchpad · Not saved
Working out
Draw with a finger, pen or mouse, or type your working below.
Your working stays on this page. It is not submitted or saved, and clears when you leave or reload.
Check your understanding
Explain the worked example in your own words. Say why the method works, not just what the answer is.
Skills and explanation links
Key ideas taught here
- Good data starts with a clear question and a consistent way to record each answer.
- Test the question with one person first. Avoid overlapping categories or wording that pushes people towards an answer.
Method and checking
For parents and teachers
- Ask your child to explain the method aloud before writing the answer.
- Use a real-life context at home, such as shopping, cooking, sport scores, maps or timetables.
- Praise clear working and checking, not only speed.
- Use counters, blocks, drawings and everyday objects before moving to written symbols.
Practise choosing a method from the information in the question. The examples here are Pi Leo Academy learning activities. Official NAPLAN testing takes place in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9; a topic appearing in these notes does not mean it is tested in NAPLAN.
These notes provide guided examples and practice; they do not certify completion of every curriculum requirement.