Subject Name: Quantitative

Techniques
Unit 3: Tabulation
Introduction to Tabulation

Tabulation is a systematic presentation of numerical data

in rows and columns. Tabulation of classified data make it
more intelligible and fit for statistical analysis. According to
Tuttle, “A statistical table is 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 footnotes to make clear the full meaning of
the data and their origin.” The classified data presented in
tabular form helps to bring out their essential features.

2 Introduction to Tabulation
Objectives of Tabulation

To simplify complex data.

To highlight chief characteristics of the data.
To clarify objective of investigation.
To present data in a minimum space.
To detect errors and omissions in the data.
To facilitate comparison of data.
To facilitate reference.
To identify trend and tendencies of the given data.
To facilitate statistical analysis.

3 Objectives of Tabulation
Difference between classification and Tabulation

The basic points of difference between classification and tabulation, in spite of the fact that
these are closely related, are as given below:
1. Classification of data is basis for tabulation because first the data are classified and then
tabulated.

2. By classification the data are divided into various groups and subgroups on the basis of
their similarities and dissimilarities while tabulation is a process of arranging the classified
data in rows and columns with suitable heads and subheads.

4 Difference Between Classification and Tabulation

Main Parts of a Table

• Table Number: This number is helpful in the identification of a table. This is often
indicated at the top of the table.

• Title: Each table should have a title to indicate the scope, nature of contents of the table
in an unambiguous and concise form.

• Captions and stubs: A table is made up of rows and columns. Headings or subheadings
used to designate columns are called captions while those used to designate rows are
called stubs. A caption or a stub should be self-explanatory. A provision of totals of each
row or column should always be made in every table by providing an additional column or
row respectively.

5 Main Parts of a Table

Main Parts of a Table

• Main Body of the Table: This is the most important part of the table as it contains numerical
information. The size and shape of the main body should be planned in view of the nature of figures
and the objective of investigation. The arrangement of numerical data in main body is done from top
to bottom in columns and from left to right in rows.

• Ruling and Spacing: Proper ruling and spacing is very important in the construction of a table.
Vertical lines are drawn to separate various columns with the exception of sides of a table.
Horizontal lines are normally not drawn in the body of a table; however, the totals are always
separated from the main body by horizontal lines. Further, the horizontal lines are drawn at the top
and the bottom of a table. Spacing of various horizontal and vertical lines should be done depending
on the available space. Major and minor items should be given space according to their relative
importance.

• Head-note: A head-note is often given below the title of a table to indicate the units of measurement
of the data. This is often enclosed in brackets.

6 Main Parts of a Table

Main Parts of a Table

• Foot note: Abbreviations, if any, used in the table or some other explanatory notes are given just
below the last horizontal line in the form of footnotes.

• Source: This note is often required when secondary data are being tabulated. This Notes
note indicates the source from where the information has been obtained. Source note is
also given as a footnote.

Depiction of the main parts of a table

7 Main Parts of a Table

General Rules for Tabulation

1. The table should be simple and compact which is not overloaded with details.
2. Tabulation should be in accordance with the objective of investigation.
3. The unit of measurements must always be indicated in the table.
4. The captions and stubs must be arranged in a systematic manner so that it is easy to
grasp the table.
5. A table should be complete and self-explanatory.
6. As far as possible the interpretative figures like totals, ratios and percentages must also
be provided in a table.
7. The entries in a table should be accurate.
8. Table should be attractive to draw the attention of readers.

8 General Rules for Tabulation

Types of Tables

Statistical tables can be classified into various categories depending upon

the basis of their classification. Broadly speaking, the basis of classification
can be any of the following:
1. Purpose of Investigation
2. Nature of presented figure
3. Construction

9 Types of Tables
Types of Tables

Purpose of Investigation: Further divided into two categories

(a)General Purpose Table: General purpose table is also called as a reference table. This table
facilitates easy reference to the collected data. A general-purpose table is formed without any specific
objective but can be used for a number of specific purposes. Such a table usually contains a large
mass of data and are generally given in the appendix of a report.

10 Types of Tables
Types of Tables

Purpose of Investigation: Further divided into two categories

(b) Special Purpose table

A special purpose table is also called a text table or a summary table or an analytical table. Such a
table presents data relating to a specific problem. According to H. Secrist, “These tables are those in
which are recorded, not the detailed data which have been analysed, but rather the results of analysis
.” Such tables are usually of smaller size than the size of reference tables and are generally found to
highlight relationship between various characteristics or to facilitate their comparisons.

11 Types of Tables
Types of Tables

Nature of Presented Data: The presented figures can be divided into two categories

(a) Primary Table: Primary table is also known as original table and it contains data in the form in which

it were originally collected.

(b) Derivative Table: A table which presents figures like totals, averages, percentages, ratios,

coefficients, etc., derived from original data.

A table of time series data is an original table, but a table of trend values computed from the time

series data is known as a derivative table.

12 Types of Tables
Types of Tables

Classification on the basis of Construction: Tables when classified on the basis of construction can
be divided into three sections
(a) Simple Table: In this table the data are presented according to one characteristic only. This is the
simplest form of a table and is also known as table of first order. The following blank table, for showing
the number of workers in each shift of a company, is an example of a simple table.

13 Types of Tables
Types of Tables

Classification on the basis of Construction: Tables when classified on the basis of construction can
be divided into three sections
(b) Complex Table: A complex table is used to present data according to two or three characteristics.
These tables can be further divided into two-way, three-way or multi-way tables.
Two-way Tables: Such a table presents data that is classified according to two characteristics. In such
a table the columns of a table are further divided into sub-columns. The example of such a table is
given below.

14 Types of Tables
Types of Tables

Three way table: When three characteristics of data are shown simultaneously, we get a three-way
table as shown below.

Multi-way Table: If each shift is further classified into three departments, say, manufacturing, packing
and transportation, we shall get a four-way table, etc.

15 Types of Tables
Types of Tables

(c ) Cross- classified tables: Tables that classify entries in both directions, i.e., row-wise and
column-wise, are called cross-classified tables. The two ways of classification are such that
each category of one classification can occur with any category of the other. The cross-
classified tables can also be constructed for more than two characteristics also. A cross-
classification can also be used for analytical purpose, e.g., it is possible to make certain
comparisons while keeping the effect of other factors as constant.

16 Types of Tables
Methods of tabulation

Tabulation of the collected data can be done in two ways: (I) By Manual Method, and (ii) By
Mechanical Method.

1. Manual Method: When field of investigation is not too large and the number of
characteristics are few, the work of tabulation can be done by hand.

2. Mechanical Method: This method is used when the data are very large. The use of
machines save considerable amount of labour and time. With the development of high-
speed computers, the work of tabulation and analysis of data can be done very quickly and
with greater accuracy.

17 Methods of Tabulation
 Thank You

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