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Planning Data Collection

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Planning Data Collection

Mei, Nikau and Arjun are planning a rainforest walk. They want to collect useful data without disturbing wildlife. Read each plan carefully, then choose or explain the best way to collect fair, reliable data.

Plan the question

A good investigation has a clear group of interest, a variable to measure or record, and a practical way to gather data.

1.The team asks, “Which native bird do Year 6 walkers spot most often on this rainforest track?” Who is the group of interest?

All birds in New Zealand
Year 6 walkers using this rainforest track
All people who visit New Zealand
Only the three people planning the investigation

2.For the bird investigation in Question 1, name the main variable being recorded.

3.Which is the clearest investigative question about the walk?

Are rainforests amazing?
How many minutes does each Year 6 walker take to complete the marked track?
Why do people like birds?
What is the best place in New Zealand?

4.Match each investigation to a suitable data collection method.

How many different fern types are seen in a marked 20-metre section?
How long does a walker take to complete the track?
Which track feature do visitors enjoy most?
How many people pass the information sign in 15 minutes?

Measure elapsed time with a stopwatch
Observe and count during a set time
Ask visitors the same neutral survey question
Observe, identify and tally

Choose a fair method

Think about who is included, how the question is asked, and whether the method suits the variable.

5.Nikau wants to find out which track feature visitors like best. Which plan is fairest?

Ask only visitors who stop to admire the waterfall
Ask a range of visitors the same question at several times of day
Ask Nikau’s friends what they think all visitors prefer
Choose the feature Nikau likes best

6.The team wants to estimate how long Year 6 walkers take on the track. They time just Arjun, who walks very quickly. Explain one problem with this plan and suggest an improvement.

7.A survey asks: “Don’t you agree that the beautiful waterfall is the best part of the walk?” What makes this a poor survey question? Rewrite it neutrally.

8.Mei records bird sightings only during one quiet morning. State one way this could make her data less reliable, and how she could improve it.

9.The team plans to count people passing a sign. Complete the plan: write the group being counted, the variable, and one detail they should keep the same to make counts comparable.

10.Arjun suggests asking, “How many birds and insects did you see, and which was your favourite?” Explain why this is difficult to analyse and write one clearer question instead.

11.Plan a small investigation for the rainforest walk. Write one answerable investigative question, identify the group of interest and variable, choose a collection method, and explain how you will make the data fair or reliable.