STATISTICS

TABULATION OF DATA

(1) Meaning & Definition :

Tabulation may be defined as systematic arrangement of data in columns and rows. It is
designed to simplify presentation of data for purpose of analysis and statistical inferences.
Tuttle has given a fairly comprehensive definition of tabulation in the following words :
“The logical listing of related quantitative data in vertical columns and horizontal rows of
numbers with sufficient explanatory and qualifying words, phrases and statements in the form of
titles, headings and explanatory notes to make clear the full meaning, context and the origin of
the data.”
The above definition gives a clear idea about the structure of statistical tables and
suggests that tabulation by its orderly and systematic arrangement highlights the basic
characteristics of the information tabulated.
Secrist has defined tabulation in the following manner :
“Tables are means of recording in permanent form the analysis that is made through
classification and by placing in juxtaposition things that are similar and should be compared.”
This definition clearly points out that tabulation is a process which give classification of
data a systematic form and is meant for the purpose of making comparative studies.

[2] Objective of tabulation:

It has been made clear from the definitions given above, tabulation is meant or
summarsie lots of information in such a simple manner that it can be easily analysed and
interpreted.
Major objectives of tabulation are :
(a) To simplify complex data : In the process of tabulation of data, unnecessary details are
avoided and data are presented systematically in columns and rows in a concise form. All
tabular data are presented in such a manner that they become more meaningful and can be
easily understood by a common man.

(b) To Facilitate comparison : Data presented in rows and columns facilitate comparison. Since
a table is divided into various parts and for each part separate sub-totals and totals are given
relationship between various items of the table can be easily understood.

(c) To economise space : Economy of space is achieved by tabulation, as all unnecessary details
and repetitions are avoided without sacrificing quality and utility to the data.

(d) To depict trend and pattern of data : Tabulation of data depicts the trend of the
information under study and reveals the patterns within the figures which cannot be
understood in a descriptive form of presentation.

(e) To help reference : When data are arranged in tables with titles and table numbers, they can
be easily identified and made use of, as source reference for future studies.
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 (f) To facilitate analysis : After classification and tabulation, statistical data becomes fit for
analysis and interpretation. Various statistical measures like averages, dispersion, correlation,
etc., can be calculated easily from the data, which are systematically tabulated.

[3] Essential parts of a Table : Different parts into which a table should be divided would depend
on the nature of the data and the purpose for which they have been collected. However, in
general, a statistical table is divided into 7 parts which are explained below :

(i) Table number : Each table should be numbered for easy identification and future
reference. The table number may be given on the top of the table or it may be given on
the left hand side along with the title of the table. Sometimes table number is given in the
center, at the bottom of the table.

(ii) Title of the table : Every table should have a title. It is generally given at the tope of the
table in the center. A good title is clearly worded and gives a brief statement about the
nature of the data and the time span (if any) to which the data relate. If the data relates to
some geographical distributions the same must be included in the title. Thus a title would
include : (a) nature of the data (b) time span of the data (c) its geographical distribution.
The title should be in very prominent letters : Sub-titles of various columns of rows
should also be given and they should be in relatively smaller letters.

(iii) Captions : These refer to the headings of the vertical columns. A caption generally has a
main heading and placed at the middle of the column. It various columns are expressed in
different units, this should also be mentioned along with the caption.

(iv) Stubs : These refer to the headings of the horizontal rows and they are written on the left
hand side of the rows. Whether there is need for stubs, and if yes, how many, would
depend on the nature of the data.

(v) Body : The body of the table contains the statistical data, which have to be presents. This
is the most vital part of a table and the data contained in the body are arranged according
to caption and the stubs.

(vi) Headnote : Statistical tables contain a headnote which refers to the data contained in the
major part of the table, and it is placed below the title of the table. Generally it is put in
brackets. For example, the units of measurements are generally written as headnote like
‘in lakhs’ or ‘in tonnes’ etc.

(vii) Footnote : Footnotes are given below the table and are meant to clarify anything which is
not clear form the heading, title, stubs, body, caption, etc. For example if there are
‘exceptions’ to the data or if it is necessary to give any further explanation of certain
terms, they are given in the footnote. Suppose the problem under study in a table pertains
to ‘profits’ earned by a company, the footnote should define whether it is ‘profit before
tax’ or ‘profit after tax’.
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The following is a specimen of a table indicating parts discussed above .

 Table No.
Title Headnote
Caption
Stub Heading Coolum Column Column
Total
Heading Heading Heading

Stub Entries

Total

Foot Notes Source

[4] Rules of Tabulation : There are no hard and fast rules for the tabulation of data. Bowely very
rightly pointed out that “In collection and tabulation commonsense is the chief requisite and
experience, the chief teacher.” Constructing a good table is an art and practical experience is of
great help in designing the structure of a table. However, the following general rules should be
observed while tabulating statistical data :
(i) Table should be precise and easy to understand. It should not be necessary to go through
footnotes or explanation to properly understand a table.
(ii) If the data are very large they should not be crowded in a single table. This would
increase the chances of mistakes and would make the table unwieldy and inconveneient.
Such data can be presented in a number of tables. Each table should be complete in itself
and should serve a particular purpose.
(iii) The table should suit the size of the paper and therefore, the width of the column should
be decided beforehand.
(iv) The number of main headings should be few, though; there is no harm if the number of
sub-heading is large. This will help in understanding the main points of the tables.
(v) Captions headings or sub-headings of columns and headings and sub-headings of rows
must be self-explanatory.
(vi) Those columns whose data are to be compared should be kept side by side. Similarly,
percentages, totals and averages must be kept close to the data.
(vii) As far as possible figures should be approximated before tabulation. This would reduce
unnecessary details.
(viii) The units of measurement under each heading or sub-heading must always be indicated.
(ix) Total of rows should be placed in the extreme right column; through sometimes they are
placed in the first column after the vertical captions on the left. The totals of columns
should ordinarily be placed at the foot though in some cases it is helpful to place them at
the top of the table.
(x) Items should be arranged either in alphabetical, chronological or geographical order or
according to size, importance, emphasis or casual relationship to facilitate comparison.
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(xi) If certain figures are to be emphasized they should be in distinctive type or in a “box” or
“circle” or between thick lines.
(xii) When percentages are given side by side with original figures they should be in a
separate type-preferably italics.
(xiii) If some portion of collected data cannot be classified in any class or division a
miscellaneous class should be created and the data show in it.
(xiv) There should be a proper title to each table. It should tell what exactly the table presents.
(xv) Indicate a zero quantity by a zero and do not use zero to indicate such information, which
is not available information, which is not available, should be indicated by the letters
N.A. or by dash (-).
(xvi) Abbreviations should be avoided, particularly in titles and sub-titles.
(xvii) The data should be tabulated in an explicit fashion, the expression, ‘etc’, should not be
used in a table, since the reader may not easily find out what it refers to.
(xviii) Ditto marks should not be used in a table. Sometimes it creates confusion.
It may be difficult to follow all these guidelines in preparing a single table, but their purpose
should always be kept in mind.
J. C. Capt has summerised general rules of a tabulation in the following words :
“In the final analysis, there are only two rules in tabular presentation that should be applied
rigidly. First, the use of common sense when planning a table and second, the viewing of the
proposed table from the standpoint of the user. The details of mechanical arrangement must be
governed by a single objective, that is, to make the statistical table as easy to read and to
understand as the nature of the material will permit.”
(5) Types of Tabulation : (i) Simple and complex tabulation. Broadly speaking, tabulation
of data can be either simple or complex. Simple tabulation gives information about one or
more groups of independent questions. Complex tabulation shows the division of data in
two or more categories and as such is meant to give information about one or more sets
of interrelated questions.
One-way tables : Simple tabulation usually gives rise to single or one – way tables. One way
table supply answer to questions about one characteristic of data only. The following table will
illustrate the point.
Table – 1
Marks obtained by 100 students in statistics
Marks Number of students
30 - 40 14
40 - 50 26
50 - 60 30
60 - 70 20
70 - 80 10
This table tells us about the number of students in each class-interval of marks obtained by them.
We can know from this table that 30 students obtained marks between 50 and 60. This table also
tells us that the minimum marks range from 30 to 40 and the maximum from 70 to 80. Thus this
one-way table gives us information only about one characteristic of data, this is, marks
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of students in statistics. All the questions that can be answered form the table would be
independent of each other.
Two-way tables : As against the above type of the table there are double or two-way tables.
Two-way tables give information about two interrelated characteristics of a particular
phenomenon. If the numbers of students given in the above table are further divided sex-wise,
the table would become a two-way table because it would give information about two
characteristics, namely, the marks obtained by students in statistics and the sex-wise distribution
of students in various class intervals of marks. The shape of the table will be as follows :
Table – 2
Marks obtained by 100 students in statistics (sex – wise)
Number of students
Marks
Males Females Total
30 – 40 8 6 14
40 – 50 16 10 26
50 – 60 14 16 30
60 – 70 12 8 20
70 – 80 6 4 10
Total : 56 44 100

The above table is capable of supplying information about questions relating of two interrelated
phenomena. From the table not only can we find out that 30 students obtained marks between 50
and 60 but also the fact that out of them 14 were males and 16 females.
Three-way tables : If three inter-related phenomena are to be studied, there would be treble or
three-way tables. A three-way table can answer questions relating to three inter-related problems.
In the above example if we further find out the number of students who were day-scholars, a
three-ways table would be necessary. It would be as given in table 3.
Table – 3
Classification and Tabulation Table – 3
Marks obtained by 100 students in statistics
(Sex – wise and on the basis of residence)
Number of students

Males Females Total

Hostellers

Hostellers

Hostellers
Scholars

Scholars
scholars
Marks

Total

Total

Total
Day

Day

Day

30 - 40 4 4 8 4 2 6 8 6 14
40 – 50 10 6 16 5 5 10 15 11 26
50 – 60 8 6 14 9 7 16 17 13 30
60 – 70 7 5 12 5 3 8 12 8 20
70 – 80 5 1 6 2 2 4 7 3 10
Total 34 22 56 25 19 44 59 41 100

The above table can supply us information about (1) marks obtained by students, (2) the
distribution of these students sex-wise, and (3) the distribution of the students on the basis of the
residence.
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 Examples Based on Tabulation
Ex. 1 In a simple study about coffee habit in two towns, the following information were received.
Town A : Females were 40 % ; total coffee drinkers were 45 % and males non-coffee drinkers
were 20 %.
Town B : Males were 55 % ; Males non-coffee drinkers were 30 % and female coffee drinkers
were 15 %.
Present the above data in tabulator form.
Ex. 2 Draw a blank table to present the following information regarding the college students according
to
[a] Faculty : Science, Commerce
[b] Class : Under – graduate, Post – graduate
[c] Sex : Male, Female
[d] Year : 1970 to 1974
Ex. 3 Draft a blank table showing the distribution of students of university according to
[i] Sex :
[ii] Faculties : Arts, Science, Commerce and Law
[iii] Four Years : 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988
[iv] Age groups : Below 18 Years, 18 – 21, and 21 years and above
Ex. 4 Out of a total number of 1807 women who were interviewed for employment in a textile Factory
of Mumbai ; 512 were from textile area and rest from the non-textile areas. Amongst the married
women who belonged to textile areas, 247 were experience and 73 inexperience, while for non
textile areas, the corresponding figure were 49 and 520, the total number of inexperienced
women was 1341 of whom 111 resided in textile areas of the total number of women, 918 were
unmarried and of these the number of experience women in the textile and non-textile areas was
154 and 16 respectively. Tabulate.
Ex. 5 A Survey of 370 students from Commerce Faculty and 130 students from Science Faculty
revealed that 180 students were studying for only C. A. Examinations,140 for only costing
Examination and 80 for both C. A. and Costing Examinations.
The rest head offered part-time Management Courses of those studying for costing only
13 were girls and 90 boys belonged to Commerce Faculty. Out of 80 studying for both C.A. and
Costing, 72 were from Commerce Faculty amongst which 70 were boys. Amongst those who
offered part-time Management Courses. 50 boys where from Science Faculty and 30 boys and 10
girls from Commerce Faculty. In all there were 110 boys in Science Faculty.
Present the above information in tabular from find the number of students from Science
Faculty studying for part time Management Course.