CONSTRUCTION OF STATISTICAL TABLE

Statistical table may be defined as systematic presentation of data with the help of a table having a number of rows and columns and complete with reference number, title, description of rows as well as columns and foot notes, if any.

We may consider the following guidelines for constructing statistical table.

1. A statistical table should be allotted a serial number along with a self-explanatory title.

2. The table under consideration should be divided into caption, Box-head, Stub and Body. Caption is the upper part of the table, describing the columns and sub-columns, if any.

Box-head :

Box-head is the entire upper part of the table which includes columns and sub-column numbers, unit(s) of measurement along with caption.

Stub :

Stub is the left part of the table providing the description of the rows.

Body :

The body is the main part of the table that contains the numerical figures.

3. The table should be well-balanced in length and breadth.

4. The data must be arranged in a table in such a way that comparison(s) between different figures are made possible without much labor and time. Also the row totals, column totals, the units of measurement must be shown.

5. The data should be arranged intelligently in a well-balanced sequence and the presentation of data in the table should be appealing to the eyes as far as practicable.

6. Notes describing the source of the data and bringing clarity and, if necessary, about any rows or columns known  as footnotes, should be shown at the bottom part of the table.

Sample Statistical  Table 

Example :

In 2009, out of a total of five thousand workers of Roy Enamel Factory, four thousand and two hundred were members of a Trade Union. The number of female workers was twenty per cent of the total workers out of which thirty per cent were members of the Trade Union.

In 2010, the number of workers belonging to the trade union was increased by twenty percent as compared to 2009 of which four thousand and two hundred were male. The number of workers not belonging to trade union was nine hundred and fifty of which four hundred and fifty were females.

The textual presentation of data, relating to the workers of Roy Enamel Factory is shown in the following statistical table.

Source :

We have to mention the source here from where the data is collected. 

Footnote :

TU, M, F and T stand for trade union, male, female and total respectively.

The statistical table is usually preferred to textual presentation as

(i) It facilitates comparison between rows and columns.(ii) Complicated data can also be represented using tabulation.

(iii) It is a must for diagrammatic representation.

(iv) Without statistical table, statistical analysis of data is not possible.

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