Presentation of Data

The collected data in any statistical investigation are known as raw data. They cannot be easily understood by
persons, and are not fit for further analysis and interpretation. Hence after having collected and edited the
data, the next important step is present the data in a systematic manner.

1. Tabulation of Data
By tabulation we mean, a systematic presentation of numerical data in columns and rows in accordance with
some salient features or characteristics. Columns are vertical arrangement and rows are horizontal
arrangement.

Example 01: Present the following information in a suitable tabular form. In 1989, out of 2,000 workers in a
factory, 1,550 were members of a trade union. The number of women workers employed was 250, out of that
200 did not belong to any trade union. In 1990, the number of union workers was 1,725 of which 1,600 were
men. The number of non-union workers was 380, among whom 155 were women.

2. Diagrammatic Presentation
A diagram is a visual for presentation of statistical data. Diagram refers to the various types of devices such as
bars, circles, maps, pictorials, cartograms, etc.

Type of Diagrams
a) Simple bar diagram
A simple bar diagram can be drawn either on horizontal or vertical base. Bars on horizontal base are
more common. A bar diagram is simple to draw and easy to understand. In business and economics it
is commonly used.
Example 03: Draw a suitable bar diagram showing the following data
Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Profits Rs. (‘000) 1,500 18,000 20,000 16,000 13,000 17,000

b) Multiple bar diagram (Compound bar diagram)

Multiple bar diagrams are used to denote more than one phenomenon, e.g., for import and export
trend, Multiple bars are useful for direct comparison between two values; the bars are drawn side by
side.
Example 04: Draw a suitable bar diagram showing the following data
Year Profit (Rs. ‘000)
Company A Company B
2005 10000 15000
2006 8000 13000
2007 13000 14000

c) Sub-divided bar diagram (Component bar diagram)

The bar is subdivided into various parts in proportion to the values given in the data and may be drawn
on absolute figures or percentages. Each component occupies a part of the bar proportional to its
share in the total.
Example 05: Represent the following data in suitable diagram
District A B C
Male 1000 1200 1300
Female 500 800 900
Total 1500 2000 2200

d) Percentage subdivided bar diagram

The above – mentioned diagrams have been used to represent absolute value. But comparison is made
on a relative basis. The various components are expressed as percentage to the total. For dividing the
bars these percentages are cumulated. In this case, the bars are all of equal height. Each segment
shows the percentage to the total.
Example 06: Represent by a percentage bar diagram the following data on investment for the first and
second, five-year plans for Investment in the Public Sector
 Item The first five-year plan The second five-year plan
Value Percentage Value Percentage
Agriculture 357 768
Irrigation 492 990
Industry 261 909
Transport 654 1495
Social Service 306 945
Miscellaneous 90 300
Total 2160 100 5400 100

e) Pie diagram
The pie diagram ranks high in understanding. Just as we divide a bar to show its components, a circle can
also be divided into sectors. As there are .360 degrees at the centre, proportionate sectors are cut taking
the whole data equal to 360 degrees. This will be clear from flowing example.
Example 07: The following table shows the area in millions of square kilometers of the oceans of the world
Ocean Area (million sq.km) (Y) Degree of Angle (=Y*360/152.9)
Pacific 70.8
Atlantic 41.2
Indian 28.5
Antarctic 07.6
Arctic 04.8
Total 152.9 3600

f.) Pictogram
Pictogram is a device of representing statistical data in pictures. There are very useful in attracting the
attention. They are easily understood. For the purpose of propaganda, the pictorial presentations of facts
are quite popular and find place in exhibitions they are extensively used by government organizations as
well as by private institutions.
Example 08: The following gives the number of scooters manufactured by a company. (Present the data by
pictogram)
Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
scooters manufactured 15,000 17,500 20,000 25,000 27,500 29500

g). Line Graphs

Only one variable is to be represented graphically, we use line graph. The independent variable is plotted
on X- axis and dependent variables on the Y- axis. A dot or point is placed at the appropriate place. All
consecutive dots are joined to give straight line.
Example 09: The following gives the monthly sale index of Samarathunga industries.
Month January February March April May June July August Septm. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Index 100 100 120 134 137 139 145 142 146 156 159 165
When independent variable relating to two or more related variables, all the variables are shown on the
graph. When two or more related variables are shown in the same graph, they are disguised from one
another by drawing different indicators.
Example 10: The following data shows the monthly import and export of Kodikara Company Pvt. Limited.
Month Import Export
January 15 19
Example 11
February 24 20
March 18 22
April 17 25
May 20 23
June 25 28

h.) Band Graph

This is prepared when a variable has several components. It shows how and it what proportions the individual
item compressing an aggregate are apportioned. This is a type of line graph, which is used to present the total
for successive time periods broken up for various component parts of the total. (Example 11)