Do surveys benefit the surveyed or the surveyors?

This lesson sequence for Year 9 students was written by Nik Caldwell from Higham Lane School in Nuneaton.

Overall enquiry question

identify the ways in which data and information is collected and collated
assess the impact the collection of surveys would have on the respondents and how the process may impact on their answers
ascertain what the intended purpose of this collection and collation is/was
demonstrate both the need and inevitability of the government collection of data
question the amount of data the government has at its disposal
consider if the government ‘knows too much’ in today’s society
judge who benefits from surveys being conducted