CURRICULUM, MUSIC, AND COMMUNITY | MAKE YOUR OWN MUSIC

Analyzing survey data

TEACHERS IN THE CMC PROJECT designed a variety of activities using data students collected through surveys. Some teachers worked with students to develop a plan for collecting, analyzing, displaying, and presenting data.

Data collection and analysis — process outline

Below is a sample outline created by students.

1. Gather Data
   1. Think of musical categories
   2. Make survey sheets
   3. Have people fill out survey sheets
   4. Tally result
2. Create Charts and Graphs
   1. Work on computer, print
   2. Put data on tally chart, pictograph and Venn Diagram
3. Write Questions
   1. Brainstorm questions
   2. Select best questions
   3. Write draft, revise and spell-check
   4. Print final copy
4. Organize and Prepare Display
5. Presentation
   1. Plan
   2. Rehearse

Data collection questions

Based on this outline, students were asked comprehension questions on the data collection process:

1. What needs to be done before survey sheets are filled out?
2. After brainstorming ideas for questions, what is done next?
3. Why is it important to do things in a particular order?
4. Which organizer do you think is best for the information? Explain why.
5. How is an outline like a concept map? Which is easier for you to work with? Explain.

Putting it all together: graphs, charts, and concept maps

Using information contained in the outline and Inspiration computer software, students developed various concept maps. Two examples are available here in PDF format (concept map 1 | concept map 2).

To display data, students used a variety of representations including circle graphs, pictographs, tally charts, and venn diagrams. Groups of students developed sets of comprehension questions to accompany each graph. (Click any image below to see a larger version.)

		Circle graphs — questions Which is the favorite type of music for the students? Which is the favorite type of music for the parents? Which is the second least favorite for the parents? Why do you think the parents like Rock/Classic Rock? Which two types of music are the same for the students?
		Pictographs — questions How many people like Rock better than Hip-Hop? Which type of music is most popular? How many more people like Rap better than Gospel? Which two types of music do only four people like? Find the total number of people who like Classical, Gospel, and Bluegrass/Old Time. Is this more than the number of people who like Rap/Hip-Hop?
		Tally charts — questions How many tallies in all? How many more kids like Rap better than Rock? How many more adults than kids like Gospel? How many kids like Rock better than Country? How many students like Hip-Hop better than Gospel?
		Venn diagrams — questions How many students like County and Rock, but not Rap/Hip-Hop? How are County, Hip-Hop, and rock alike and different? Make a Venn Diagram. What type of music is most popular? What is least popular? Who liked all of the types of music shown? Who didn't like any? Where would your name belong on this Venn diagram? Which type of music do most of your friends like? What do you think this Venn Diagram would look like if adults voted? Why? How many more people like all three than none? How many more students like Hip-Hop/Rap than Country? How many people like only two types of music?

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