TABULATION METHODS, OBJECTIVES, PARTS OF A TABLE

2. Orderly arrangement of data in columns and rows
conserves space
Comparison
summation of items
detection of errors and omissions
 statistical computations

3. Clear, concise and adequate title.
Distinct number to facilitate reference
Column headings and row headings of table should be clear and
brief.
Units of measurement under each heading or subheading must
always be indicated.
Explanatory footnotes –beneath the table
Source-just below the table.
Abbreviation, ditto should be avoided

4. To carry out investigation
To do comparison
To locate omissions and errors in the data.
To use space economically
To simplify data
To use it as future reference
Importance of Tabulation
Under tabulation, data is divided into various parts and for each part
there are totals and sub totals. Therefore, relationship between different
parts can be easily known.
Since data are arranged in a table with a title and a number so these
can be easily identified and used for the required purpose
Tabulation makes the data brief. Therefore, it can be easily
presented in the form of graphs.
Tabulation presents the numerical figures in an attractive form.

5. Simple tabulation
Simple tabulation is when the data are tabulated to one characteristic. For
example, the survey that determined the frequency or number of employees of a
firm owning different brands of mobile phones like Blackberry, Nokia, I phone, etc.
Double tabulation
Double tabulation is when two characteristics of data are tabulated. For example,
frequency or number of male and female employees in the firm owning different
brand of mobile phones like Blackberry, Nokia, Iphone, etc.
Complex tabulation
Complex tabulation of data that includes more than two characteristics. For
example, frequency or number of male, female and the total employees owning
different brand of mobile phones like Blackberry, Nokia, I phone, etc. Cross
tabulations, is also a sub-type of complex tabulation that includes cross-classifying
factors to build a contingency table of counts or frequencies at each combination of
factor levels. A contingency table is a display format used to analyze and record
the possible relationship between two or more categorical variables

6. There are no hard and fast rules for the tabulation of data but for
constructing good table, following general rules should be observed
while tabulating statistical data. • The table should suit the size of the
paper and, therefore, the width of the column should be decided before
hand. • Number of columns and rows should neither be too large nor
too small. • As far as possible figures should be approximated before
tabulation. This would reduce unnecessary details.
Items should be arranged either in alphabetical, chronological or
geographical order or according to size. • The sub-total and total of the
items of the table must be written. • Percentages are given in the tables
if necessary. • Ditto marks should not be used in a table because
sometimes it create confusion. • Table should be simple and attractive.
• A table should be logical, well-balanced in length and breadth and the
comparable columns should be placed side by side. • Light/heavy/thick
or double rulings may be used to distinguish sub columns, main
columns and totals. • For large data more than one table may be used.

7. Title as compatible with the objective of the study
To facilitate comparison.
Ideal Size
Stubs
Use of Zero
Abbreviation
Footnote
Total
Source of data
Size of Columns
Simple, Economical and Attractive

9. Table number: A number must be allotted to the table for
identification, particularly when there are many tables in a
study.
Title: The title should explain what is contained in the table. It
should be clear, brief and set in bold type on top of the table.
It should also indicate the time and place to which the data
refer. Parts of an Ideal Table
Date: The date of preparation of the table should be given.
Stubs or Row designations: Each row of the table should be
given a brief heading. Such designations of rows are called
“stubs”, or, “stub items” and the entire column is called “stub
column”.

10. Column headings or Captions: Column designation is given on top of
each column to explain to what the figures in the column refer. It should
be clear and precise. This is called a “caption”, or, “heading”. columns
should be numbered if there are four, or, more columns.
Body of the table: The data should be arranged in such a way that any
figure can be located easily. Various types of numerical variables should
be arranged in an ascending order, i.e., from left to right in rows and from
top to bottom in columns. Column and row totals should be given.
Source: At the bottom of the table a note should be added indicating the
primary and secondary sources from which data have been collected.
Footnotes and references: If any item has not been explained properly, a
separate explanatory note should be added at the bottom of the table.