Classification and Tabulation

After the collection of data is completed, it is prepared for analysis. As the data
is raw, it needs to be transformed in such a way, that it is appropriate for
analysis. The form of data, highly influences the result of analysis and so, to
get positive results, the data preparation should be proper. There are various
steps of data preparation, which include editing, coding, classification,
tabulation, graphical representation and so on.

Data classification is the process of classifying data into groups is known as

classification of data.
Objectives of classification:

 To condense the mass of data in such a manner that similarities and

dissimilarities can be readily apprehended.
 To facilitate comparison
 To pinpoint the most significant features of the data at a glance.
 To give prominence to the important information gathered while
dropping out the unnecessary elements.
 To enable a statistical treatment of the material collected.
Types of Classification:
 Qualitative Classification or Ordinal Classification (Ex: Gender, literacy,
Religious, etc.)
 Quantitative Classification (Ex: Income, Height, weight, etc.)
 Chronological or Temporal Classification (On the basis of time)
 Geographical or Spatial Classification (Ex: Cities, districts, etc.)

whereas tabulation is the act of presenting data in tabular form, for better
interpretation.
BASIS FOR DATA CLASSIFICATION TABULATION
COMPARISON
Meaning Data Classification is the Tabulation is a process of
process of grouping data into summarizing data and
different categories, on the presenting it in a compact
basis of nature, behavior, or form, by putting data into
common characteristics. statistical table(row and
column wise).
Order After data collection After classification
Arrangement Attributes and variables Columns and rows
Purpose To analyse data To present data
Bifurcates data Categories and sub- Headings and sub-
into categories headings

Univariate, Bivariate and Multivariate data and its

analysis
1. Univariate data –
This type of data consists of only one variable. The analysis of univariate data is thus the
simplest form of analysis since the information deals with only one quantity that changes. It does
not deal with causes or relationships and the main purpose of the analysis is to describe the data
and find patterns that exist within it. The example of a univariate data can be height.

Suppose that the heights of seven students of a class is recorded (figure 1), there is only one
variable that is height and it is not dealing with any cause or relationship. The description of
patterns found in this type of data can be made by drawing conclusions using central tendency
measures (mean, median and mode), dispersion or spread of data (range, minimum, maximum,
quartiles, variance and standard deviation) and by using frequency distribution tables,
histograms, pie charts, frequency polygon and bar charts.
2. Bivariate data –
This type of data involves two different variables. The analysis of this type of data deals with
causes and relationships and the analysis is done to find out the relationship among the two
variables.Example of bivariate data can be temperature and ice cream sales in summer season.
Suppose the temperature and ice cream sales are the two variables of a bivariate data(figure 2).
Here, the relationship is visible from the table that temperature and sales are directly proportional
to each other and thus related because as the temperature increases, the sales also increase. Thus,
bivariate data analysis involves comparisons, relationships, causes and explanations. These
variables are often plotted on X and Y axis on the graph for better understanding of data and one
of these variables is independent while the other is dependent.
3. Multivariate data –
When the data involves three or more variables, it is categorized under multivariate. Example
of this type of data is suppose researcher wants to know the relationship among age, height and
weight of people. It can be understood with the following table.
It is similar to bivariate but contains more than one dependent variable. The ways to perform
analysis on this data depends on the goals to be achieved. Some of the techniques are regression
analysis, path analysis, factor analysis and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).

Person Age (years) Height (cm) Weight (kgs)

1 30.9 180 76
2 26.9 164 64
3 33.2 176 87
4 28.5 172 75
5 32.3 176 75
6 37.0 180 86
7 38.3 171 65
8 31.5 172 76
9 32.8 161 75
10 37.7 175 85
11 29.1 190 83