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      Capturing data to investigate an issue

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can identify data needed to answer a question and then design a data capture form to collect the data needed.

      Key learning points

      1. The investigative cycle includes steps like asking a question, collecting data, analysing it, and drawing conclusions.
      2. To answer a question with data, you need to think about what type of data is needed and how it will be collected.
      3. A data capture form is a tool that can be used to help collect the right information in a clear and organised way.

      Keywords

      • Precise - a question that is clear, specific and unambiguous

      • Data capture - the action or process of gathering data

      Common misconception

      Data capture forms are only electronic.

      A data capture form can be designed and used on paper and data can be collected in person.

      Teacher tip

      This lesson involves pupils designing questions to collect data, you could group pupils and allow them to design questions together before moving onto to create their data capture forms.

      Equipment

      Pupils will need access to a device that can create online forms for data collections. Examples in this lesson use Google Forms https://oak.link/google-forms

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Put these steps in the correct order to solve a real-world problem using data:

      1 - state the question to investigate
      2 - plan how you would find the answer
      3 - collect data
      4 - analyse the data
      5 - draw conclusions

      Q2.
      What does the PPDAC cycle help you do?

      write stories
      Correct answer: solve real-world problems using data
      draw pictures
      memorise facts

      Q3.
      What do we call a data point that is very different from the rest?

      Correct Answer: outlier

      Q4.
      If you find an outlier in your data, what should you do?

      always delete it
      ignore it
      change the other data
      Correct answer: check if it is a mistake or has a reason

      Q5.
      What is the term for a relationship between two variables?

      Correct Answer: correlation

      Q6.
      Which of these best describes a correlation?

      a prediction about future data
      an average value
      Correct answer: a measurement of how two things move together
      a type of outlier

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of these is NOT a step in the investigative cycle?

      drawing conclusions
      asking a question
      collecting data
      Correct answer: guessing the answer

      Q2.
      Match each step of the investigative cycle to its description:

      Correct Answer:ask a question,decide what you want to find out

      decide what you want to find out

      Correct Answer:collect data,gather information

      gather information

      Correct Answer:analyse,find patterns and trends

      find patterns and trends

      Correct Answer:draw conclusions,answer the question

      answer the question

      Q3.
      What is an advantage of using a data capture form?

      It makes data collection messy.
      Correct answer: It helps collect information in a clear and organised way.
      It takes longer to finish.
      It makes questions less precise.

      Q4.
      Which statement about data capture forms is incorrect?

      Correct answer: Data capture forms can only be used on a computer.
      Data capture forms can be used on paper.
      Data capture forms help organise information.
      Data capture forms can be used in person

      Q5.
      Put these actions in order for using a data capture form:

      1 - design the form
      2 - collect the data
      3 - organise the results
      4 - analyse the information

      Q6.
      When can you use a paper data capture form?

      only when you have a computer
      only for drawing
      Correct answer: when collecting data in person
      only in maths lessons

      To help you plan your 9 computing lesson on: Capturing data to investigate an issue, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...