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Data Collection Planning Template

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Data Collection Planning Template

A local council wants to know how Year 8 students travel to school so it can plan safer routes. Work through the scenario, then design a clear, fair and ethical data-collection plan of your own.

Unpack the investigation

The council’s question is: “What is the most common way Year 8 students travel to school?” A class plans to ask 20 students from one Year 8 class during lunchtime.

1.Identify the group being investigated and the data the students need to collect.
2.The students record each person’s usual travel mode as walk, cycle, bus, car, or other. Is this categorical or numerical data? Explain briefly.
3.Which plan would give a more representative picture of all Year 8 students at a large school?
  • Ask 20 friends from one class during lunchtime.
  • Randomly select students from several Year 8 classes and ask them the same question.
  • Ask only students who walk to school.
4.Give one reason why asking only friends from one class could lead to biased results.

Build a useful collection plan

A good plan states who will be asked, exactly what will be recorded, how the information will be collected, and how participants will be treated fairly and respectfully.

5.Choose the clearest, fairest survey question for this investigation.
  • You walk to school, don’t you?
  • How do you usually travel to school? Choose one: walk, cycle, bus, car, or other.
  • Do you like walking more than taking the bus?
6.Write one practical collection method for this survey. Include when or where it could happen.
7.Select two steps that help protect participants and improve the quality of the data.
  • Explain the purpose and make participation voluntary.
  • Write down students’ full names beside their answers.
  • Use the same question and response options for everyone.
  • Encourage students to choose the answer that sounds safest.
8.A student answers “other”. What should the collector do to make sure the response is still useful without demanding private information?

Your investigation planner

Plan an investigation about a topic that matters to students, such as favourite lunchtime activities, ways students get news, or how they travel to a local sports practice. Choose a question that can be answered safely and respectfully.

9.Write an investigative question and name the group you would collect data from.
10.Describe the data you would record and your collection method. Make sure the method matches your question.
11.Name one possible source of bias or difficulty, and explain how you would reduce it.
12.Write one ethical note for your plan. Consider consent, privacy, voluntary participation, or avoiding sensitive questions.

3 printable pages

  • Data Collection Planning Template, page 1 of 3: Unpack the investigation

    Page 1

  • Data Collection Planning Template, page 2 of 3: Build a useful collection plan, Your investigation planner

    Page 2

  • Data Collection Planning Template, page 3 of 3: 10. Describe the data you would record and your collection method. Make sure the method…

    Page 3

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