Four ways to collect data
You want to know how students reach school. How will you find out?
The rule
You can watch students arrive, or ask each one. To collect data is to gather facts.
Watch it, ask it, measure it, or let a device record it.
Observation is watching and counting. You ask no one. A survey is asking people the same questions. Measurement is using an instrument, such as a ruler or a stopwatch. Digital collection is a device recording by itself.
A sensor is a part that measures heat or light. A sensor that saves readings by itself is digital collection.
| Way | Who records? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Observation | You, by watching | Count autos at the gate |
| Survey | You, from answers | Ask classmates a question |
| Measurement | You, with an instrument | Use a ruler on a plant |
| Digital collection | A device, by itself | A step counter on a phone |
Data can be collected in other ways too. These four are easy to start with.
Read each situation. Name the way.
Loading lab…