Which description best captures a tally system in data collection?

Which description best captures a tally system in data collection?

• A. Fast, efficient to record, easy to read, easy to add up and total
• B. Complex and time-consuming
• C. Requires digital devices only
• D. Produces only qualitative data

Answer: (B)

A tally system is a simple, quick way to record how often something happens. Each event is marked with a tally stroke, which makes data collection fast as you go. The marks are easy to read, and when grouped (often in fives), they make it simple to add up totals at a glance. Because tallying counts occurrences, the data produced are numerical counts, not purely qualitative notes, and you don’t need digital devices to use it. So the description that best fits is that it’s fast and efficient to record, easy to read, and easy to total.

A tally system is a simple, quick way to record how often something happens. Each event is marked with a tally stroke, which makes data collection fast as you go. The marks are easy to read, and when grouped (often in fives), they make it simple to add up totals at a glance. Because tallying counts occurrences, the data produced are numerical counts, not purely qualitative notes, and you don’t need digital devices to use it. So the description that best fits is that it’s fast and efficient to record, easy to read, and easy to total.