Statistical survey facts for kids

A statistical survey is a way to gather information about a group of things or people. It helps us understand what a whole group thinks or does by asking questions to some of them.

Surveys can ask for numbers or for categories.

• A numerical survey asks questions that give numbers as answers. For example, "How many minutes do you spend eating breakfast?" The answers would be numbers like 5, 10, or 15 minutes.
• A categorical survey asks questions that give words or types as answers. For example, "What is your favorite color?" The answers would be words like yellow, green, or purple.

Surveys are used in many areas. They help us learn about people's opinions or gather facts. For instance, surveys are common in:

• Political polling: To see what people think about leaders or upcoming elections.
• Government: To understand public needs or how well programs are working.
• Health: To learn about health habits or common illnesses.
• Social science: To study how people live and interact.
• Marketing research: To find out what customers like or want to buy.

What is a Survey?

A survey is like asking questions to a group of people to learn something specific. Imagine you want to know what kind of snacks students at your school like best. You wouldn't ask every single student. Instead, you might ask a smaller group, and their answers would help you guess what the whole school likes. This smaller group is called a sample.

Why Do We Use Surveys?

Surveys help us make smart decisions. For example, a city government might survey its citizens to decide if they should build a new park. A company might survey customers to improve a product. Surveys give us facts and opinions that are important for planning and understanding.

Types of Survey Questions

As mentioned, survey questions can be numerical or categorical. Understanding the difference helps you get the right kind of information.

Numerical Questions

These questions ask for answers that are numbers. They help us measure things.

• Example: "How many hours do you spend on homework each week?"
• Why they are used: To find averages, totals, or to compare amounts.

Categorical Questions

These questions ask for answers that fit into groups or types.

• Example: "Which sport do you enjoy most: soccer, basketball, or swimming?"
• Why they are used: To see preferences, types, or groups.

How Surveys Are Used

Surveys are powerful tools used by many different groups to understand people and make choices.

Surveys in Politics

In politics, surveys are often called polls. They help politicians understand what voters care about. They can also predict who might win an election. For example, a poll might ask, "Who will you vote for in the next election?" This helps candidates know if their message is reaching people.

Surveys in Health

Health organizations use surveys to learn about people's health. They might ask about diet, exercise, or how often people visit the doctor. This information helps them plan health programs or understand how diseases spread. For instance, a survey might ask, "How many servings of fruit do you eat daily?"

Surveys in Marketing

Companies use surveys to understand what customers want. Before launching a new product, a company might ask potential buyers about their preferences. This helps them create products people will like. A survey might ask, "What features are most important to you in a new phone?"

Images for kids

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  A basic questionnaire in the Thai language

See also

In Spanish: Encuesta para niños