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Web Quests

CHAPTER 3

WHAT KIDS ARE SAYING

 

INTRODUCTION

 

What are some ways to collect data? How can the Internet be used to collect primary and secondary data?

 

MATERIALS

 

paper and pencil

calculator

 

TASK

 

Kids from different places all over the world use the Internet to get help with their school work, to talk to friends, to look up information, and to share ideas. Go to a Web site designed for kids, which has collected data on kids' opinions and tastes, to find out what kids are saying online.

 

  1. Click on this link: Fact Monster: Online Almanac, Dictionary, Encyclopedia, and Homework Help
    1. Browse the list of surveys (called "polls" on the Web site) that have been conducted. To find out more about a survey, click on the survey's question. To see the results of the survey, click the "see results" link under the VOTE button.
    2. Choose a survey that you find interesting.
 
  1. The results of each survey are represented as percentages. The Web site also provides the total number of people who voted. For the survey that you chose, calculate the number of votes each choice received and display this information in a table. Explain your steps.

 

  1. Graph the results of the survey. Choose the most appropriate type of graph for the data.
  1. What conclusions can you draw from the information displayed in your graph?
  2. Describe a situation in which you think this information would be useful.

 

     4.     a.    Do you think the survey was biased in favour of 

one group? If so, do you think this bias affected the survey results? Explain your answer.

   b.   Give an example of when using the Internet

to collect primary data would create bias that would affect the results of a survey.

 

  1. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of conducting a survey using the Internet? Explain your thinking.

 

 

TASK CHECKLIST

 

Is the type of graph you chose appropriate for your data?

 

Did you include all the important details in your graph?

 

Were your answers and explanations clear?

 

Did you include examples when appropriate?

 

Did you make reasonable conclusions?

 

Did you justify your conclusions?

 

 

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