Lesson 5: Organizing Data
Cleaning, sorting, and arranging data so we can see patterns.
🎯 Learning Intentions
- Clean data by removing errors or unclear responses
- Sort data into categories
- Use frequency tables to count responses
- Introduction to digital spreadsheets (optional)
1. The Messy Desk Metaphor (5 mins)
Discuss: "Why is it hard to find a specific paper on a messy desk?"
Raw data is like a messy desk. Organizing it helps us find the answers.
2. Activity: Cleaning Data (10 mins)
Look at your data set. Are there any issues?
- Did someone write "dog" when you asked for a number?
- Did someone answer twice?
- Are there blank spaces?
Task: Fix clear errors or decide to remove "spoiled" data entries.
3. Skill: Frequency Tables (20 mins)
Turn a list into a count.
Raw List:
Red, Blue, Red, Green, Blue, Red...
Frequency Table:
- Red: ||| (3)
- Blue: || (2)
- Green: | (1)
Task: Create frequency tables for your own survey questions.
4. Introduction to Google Sheets/Excel (15 mins - Optional)
Demonstrate how to enter data into a spreadsheet:
- One row per person
- One column per question
- Using "Sort" to group answers