Today you will learn to use a computer database to collect, sort, and organize data or information. One way to collect information about people is to ask them to complete a survey with a list of questions. Because data collection must be systematic you need a plan. First you need to decide what information you want to collect. Then you need to design a survey to collect the information. Next you need a plan for how you want to enter the data into your database so that you can retrieve it easily to answer your question(s).

Discuss with your partner what information you would like to collect on a survey that you will do with your classmates. Discuss and decide how to record the information that you collect. Design a survey that you will ask your classmates. You might include basics such as, first and last names, age, gender (boy or girl), hobbies, sports, favorite colors or foods, etc. Be sure to include first and last name and a choice for either boy or girl and at least three other categories of information in your survey.