Lesson 3: Planning Data Collection

🎯 Learning Intentions

• Understand different data collection methods (survey, experiment, observation)
• Design clear survey questions to avoid bias
• Plan for ethical data collection

1. Discussion: How do we get answers? (10 mins)

Brainstorm ways to get data:

• Survey: Asking people questions (e.g., opinions, habits)
• Observation: Watching and counting (e.g., cars passing by, birds in garden)
• Experiment: Testing something (e.g., how far paper planes fly)
• Existing Data: Using internet research (e.g., Stats NZ data)

2. Concept: Bias and Fairness (15 mins)

What is bias? When data doesn't tell the whole truth.

• Question Bias: "Don't you agree that rugby is the best?" (Leading question)
• Sampling Bias: Asking only your friends about school issues.

Activity: "Fix the Bias." Students correct biased survey questions.

3. Task: Design Your Plan (20 mins)

Students create a plan for their investigation:

1. Question: (Using I-V-G from Lesson 2)
2. Method: Survey? Observation? Experiment?
3. Tools: Paper survey? Google Form? Tally chart?
4. Who/What: Who will you ask? Where will you observe?

4. Ethics Check (5 mins)

Is your plan creating harm?

• Permission: Do people know you are collecting data?
• Privacy: Are you asking overly personal questions?
• Respect: Are you being culturally safe?