3.6 Let’s investigate

1 Look at the picture.

a What is the boy with the clipboard doing? b What other ways can data be collected? ✓ Research ✓ Analysis

c What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of each method of data collection?

2 Read and respond. Food waste questionnaire Why do children waste food at our school?

What did you throw away today? (Tick all the responses that apply.) fruits vegetables grains protein dairy Do you have school lunches? (circle) Yes / No Do you like school lunches? Choose one. Do you get the right amount of food? Choose one. Did you know that food waste causes climate change? (circle)

Sample Pages Yes / No

Would you use a compost bin at school? (circle) Yes / No

a What is the research question?

b Read the notes the students made about the investigation, then answer the questions. • Where did they do their investigation? • How many children were questioned? • What was the total amount of time spent asking questions? c Do you think the children have enough data to answer their research question?

3 Look at the results the students got for the last question. What did they fi nd out about compost bins?

Would you use a compost bin at school?

Yes

No

4 Look at the responses to the other questions and complete the data collection.

a Record the information from the questionnaire into the tables on the worksheet. b Make a chart or graph to show the results for each question. c Explain your results. Use your chart or graph to help you.

5 Share your results in a report.

a Write a statement for each question to explain what you found out. b Use your statements to write a team report of the investigation. Use the checklist for features of report writing to help you. Talking point Checklist How successful was your team report at answering Report features checklist the research question? ✓ a title and opening sentences clearly explaining what the report is about ✓ Paragraphs of information for each of the headings ✓ Tables/pictures/diagrams to add information ✓ Facts linked within each paragraph ✓ a conclusion – summary of key points ✓ Factual language School canteen 20 children every lunchtime 3 lunch periods – 30 minutes each 68% Yes 32% No 16 Sample Pages 34