Basic Statistics

Basic
Statistics
Quarter 1 – Module 4
Week 7-8
Presentation of Data
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PRESENTATION OF DATA

What I Need to Know

LEARNING COMPETENCY
The learners will be able to:
• Discuss the different methods of presenting data

Statistical data collected should be arranged in such a manner that will allow a reader to distinguish their essential
features. Depending on the type of information and the objectives of the person presenting the information, data may
be presented using one or a combination of three forms: textual, tabular and graphical.

The TEXTUAL FORM

The discussion about the presentation of data starts off with it’s most raw and vague form which is the
textual presentation. In such form of presentation, data is simply mentioned as mere text, that is generally in a
paragraph. This is commonly used when the data is not very large.

This kind of representation is useful when we are looking to supplement qualitative statements with some
data. For this purpose, the data should not be voluminously represented in tables or diagrams. It just has to be a
statement that serves as a fitting evidence to our qualitative evidence and helps the reader to get an idea of the scale
of a phenomenon.

For example, “the 2002 earthquake proved to be a mass murderer of humans. As many as 10,000 citizens
have been reported dead”. The textual representation of data simply requires some intensive reading. This is because
the quantitative statement just serves as an evidence of the qualitative statements and one has to go through the
entire text before concluding anything.

Further, if the data under consideration is large then the text matter increases substantially. As a result, the
reading process becomes more intensive, time-consuming and cumbersome.

The TABULAR FORM

A table facilitates representation of even large amounts of data in an attractive, easy to read and organized
manner. The data is organized in rows and columns. This is one of the most widely used forms of presentation of data
since data tables are easy to construct and read.

Components of  Data Tables

 Table Number: Each table should have a specific table number for ease of access and locating. This number
can be readily mentioned anywhere which serves as a reference and leads us directly to the data mentioned in
that particular table.

 Title: A table must contain a title that clearly tells the readers about the data it contains, time period of study,
place of study and the nature of classification of data.

 Headnotes: A headnote further aids in the purpose of a title and displays more information about the table.
Generally, headnotes present the units of data in brackets at the end of a table title.

 Stubs: These are titles of the rows in a table. Thus a stub display information about the data contained in a
particular row.

 Caption: A caption is the title of a column in the data table. In fact, it is a counterpart if a stub and indicates the
information contained in a column.

 Body or field: The body of a table is the content of a table in its entirety. Each item in a body is known as a
‘cell’.

 Footnotes: Footnotes are rarely used. In effect, they supplement the title of a table if required.
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 Source: When using data obtained from a secondary source, this source has to be mentioned below the
footnote.

Construction of Data Tables

There are many ways for construction of a good table. However, some basic ideas are:

 The title should be in accordance with the objective of study: The title of a table should provide a quick
insight into the table.

 Comparison: If there might arise a need to compare any two rows or columns then these might be kept close to
each other.

 Alternative location of stubs: If the rows in a data table are lengthy, then the stubs can be placed on the right-
hand side of the table.

 Headings: Headings should be written in a singular form. For example, ‘good’ must be used instead of ‘goods’.

 Footnote: A footnote should be given only if needed.

 Size of columns: Size of columns must be uniform and symmetrical.

 Use of abbreviations: Headings and sub-headings should be free of abbreviations.

 Units: There should be a clear specification of units above the columns.

The Advantages of Tabular Presentation

 Ease of representation: A large amount of data can be easily confined in a data table. Evidently, it is the
simplest form of data presentation.

 Ease of analysis: Data tables are frequently used for statistical analysis like calculation of central tendency,
dispersion etc.

 Helps in comparison: In a data table, the rows and columns which are required to be compared can be placed
next to each other. To point out, this facilitates comparison as it becomes easy to compare each value.

 Economical: Construction of a data table is fairly easy and presents the data in a manner which is really easy on
the eyes of a reader. Moreover, it saves time as well as space.

The GRAPHICAL OR PICTORIAL FORM

A chart/ graph says more than twenty pages of prose, it is true when you are presenting and explaining data.
The graph is a visual display of data in the form of continuous curves or discontinuous lines on graph paper. Many
graphs just represent a summary of data that has been collected to support a particular theory, to understand data
quickly in a visual way, by helping the audience, to make a comparison, to show a relationship, or to highlight a
trend.
Usually, it is suggested that graphical presentation of the data should be carefully looked at before proceeding for
the formal statistical analysis because the trend in the data can often be depicted by the use of charts and graphs.
A chart/ graph is a graphical presentation of data, in which the data is usually represented by symbols, such
as bars in a bar chart, lines in a line chart, or slices in a pie chart. A chart/ graph can represent tabular numeric data,
functions or some kinds of qualitative structures.

Common Uses of Graphs

Presenting the data in graph is a pictorial way of representing relationships between various quantities,
parameters, variables. A graph basically summarizes how one quantity changes if another quantity that is related to
it also changes.
1. Graphs are useful for checking assumptions made about the data i.e. the probability distribution
assumed.
2. The graphs provide a useful subjective impression as to what the results of the formal analysis
should be.
3. Graphs often suggest the form of a statistical analysis to be carried out, particularly, the graph of
model fitted to the data.
4. Graphs give a visual representation of the data or the results of statistical analysis to the reader
which is usually easily understandable and more attractive.
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5. Some graphs are useful for checking the variability in the observation and outliers can be easily
detected.

Some Important Points for Graphical Presentation of data

1. Clearly label the axis with the names of the variable and units of measurement.
2. Keep the units along each axis uniform, regardless of the scales chosen for axis.
3. Keep the diagram simple. Avoid any unnecessary details.
4. A clear and concise title should be chosen to make the graph meaningful.
5. If the data on different graphs are to be measured always use identical scales.
6. In the scatter plot, do not join up the dots. This makes it likely that you will see apparent patterns in any
random scatter of points.
7. Use either grid rulings or tick marks on the axis to mark the graph divisions.
8. Use color, shading, or pattern to differentiate the different sections of the graphs such as lines, pieces of the
pie, bars etc.
9. In general start each axis from zero; if the graph is too large, indicate a break in the grid.

TYPES OF GRAPHS/PICTORIALS

1. Line Graph.

A line graph (also known as a line plot or line chart) is a graph which uses lines to connect individual
data points that display quantitative values over a specified time interval. Line graphs use data point "markers"
that are connected by straight lines to aid in visualization. Used across many fields, this type of graph can be
quite helpful in depicting the changes in values over time.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

 A line graph connects individual data points that, typically, display quantitative values over a specified time
interval.
 Line graphs consist of two axes: x-axis (horizontal) and y-axis (vertical), graphically denoted as (x,y).
 In investing, specifically with respect to the field of technical analysis, line graphs are quite informative in
allowing the user to visualize trends, which can greatly aid them in their analyses.

2. Bar Graph

A bar graph is a chart that plots data using rectangular bars or columns (called bins) that represent the
total amount of observations in the data for that category. Bar charts can be displayed with vertical columns,
horizontal bars, comparative bars (multiple bars to show a comparison between values), or stacked bars (bars
contain multiple types of information).
Bar graphs are commonly used in financial analysis for displaying data. A stock volume chart is a
commonly used type of vertical bar graph.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

 Bar graphs can be created to show data in multiple, highly visual ways.
 Bar graphs have an x- and y-axis and can be used to showcase one, two, or many categories of data.
 Data is presented via vertical or horizontal columns.
 The columns can contain multiple labeled variables (or just one), or they can be grouped together (or not)
for comparative purposes.
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A typical bar graph has a label or title, x-axis, y-axis, scales or increments for the axis, and bars. Some
graphs may also have a legend that specifies what various colors represent, such as in a stacked bar graph.
Bar graphs are ideal for comparing two or more values, or values over time. Data is displayed either
horizontally or vertically. Single bar graphs are used to convey discrete values of an item within a category. For
instance, a bar graph could display the number of males with a certain trait for specific ages. The discrete value,
or the number of instances in which an individual has a certain trait, is displayed by varying the length of the
bar. More instances mean a longer bar, and fewer instances mean a shorter bar. In this example, a different bar
is established for each age or age group.
In technical analysis, a volume chart shows how much volume there was on each particular day. The x-
axis shows days, while a bar extending up from that day shows how much volume there was per the y-axis.
When a graph has a well-defined zero point and the data set has both positive and negative values in
relation to this point, bars can still be displayed. Bars above the zero line typically represent positive values
(check the scale) while bars below the zero line typically show negative values.
Data can be displayed horizontally or vertically. To switch the orientation, the x- and y-axis are
switched.

3. Pie Chart
A pie chart is a circular chart that shows how data sets relate to one another. The arc length of each
section is proportional to the quantity it represents, usually resulting in a shape similar to a slice of pie. A pie
chart is a good chart to choose when displaying data that has stark contrasts in it. 

A pie chart displays data, information, and statistics in an easy-to-read 'pie-slice' format with varying
slice sizes telling you how much of one data element exists. The bigger the slice, the more of that particular data
was gathered.
Let's take, for example, the pie chart shown below. It represents the percentage of people who own
various pets. As you can see, the 'dog ownership' slice is by far the largest, which means that most people
represented in this chart own a dog as opposed to a cat, fish, or other animal.

Uses of a Pie Chart

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The main use of a pie chart is to show comparison. When items are presented on a pie chart, you
can easily see which item is the most popular and which is the least popular.
Various applications of pie charts can be found in business, school, and at home. For business, pie
charts can be used to show the success or failure of certain products or services. They can also be used to
show market reach of a business compared to similar businesses.
At school, pie chart applications include showing how much time is allotted to each subject. It can
also be used to show the number of girls to boys in various classes. At home, pie charts can be useful when
figuring out your diet. You can also use pie charts to see how much money you spend in different areas.

There are many applications of pie charts and all are designed to help you to easily grasp a bunch
of information visually.

4. Pictograph
Another graphic device which is often used to dramatize the differences among a few quantities is
the pictograph, also called pictogram. It is a very effective tool for attracting attention since it employs
pictures or symbols which are normally drawn of the same size and in rows. Large figures are generally
shown by increasing the quantity of pictures and not the size of a picture.

5. Statistical Maps
Statistical Maps are used to present quantitative data which describe or classify geographical
areas. Variations in magnitudes in the different areas are shown with the use of dots or shades (hatches).
Maps that make use of dots are called dot maps, those utilizing shades or hatches are referred to as shaded
or cross-hatched maps. Specifically, a dot map is used to show the number of people belonging to a certain
class or the number of objects having a given characteristic present in each geographic area.
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Activity 1: Perform the activity below. Use short bond paper for your output.

1. Interview 10 people in your household and neighborhood. Ask them their ages, height in centimeters,
and weight in kilograms.
2. Using these gathered information, present the data using 3 ways: tabular, textual or graphical.
3. Which way is more convenient for you to use? Why?

ASSESSMENT

Direction: Read each item carefully. Write the letter of the best
answer.
. 
____1. The discussion about the presentation of data starts off with it’s most raw and vague form which is the
__________presentation.
A. Tabular b. pictorial c. graphical d. textual
____2. The ______is a visual display of data in the form of continuous curves or discontinuous lines.
A. Table b. picture c. graph d. text/paragraph
____3. The data is organized in rows and columns.
A. Table b. picture c. graph d. text/paragraph
____4.  These are titles of the rows in a table.
A. Tabs b. stubs c. caption d. headnotes
____5. Here data is classified according to time.
A. Spatial b. temporal c. qualitative d. quantitative
____6. A _______is the title of a column in the data table.
A. Tabs b. stubs c. caption d. headnotes
____7. _______graphs use data point "markers" that are connected by straight lines to aid in visualization.
A. Bar b. picto c. line d. pie
____8. A ______ graph is a chart that plots data using rectangular bars or columns (called bins) that represent the
total amount of observations in the data for that category.
A. Bar b. picto c. line d. pie
____9. Another graphic device which is often used to dramatize the differences among a few quantities is the
______.
A. Bar graph b. pictograph c. line graph d. pie chart
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___10. A pie chart is a circular chart that shows how data sets relate to one another.
A. Bar graph b. pictograph c. line graph d. pie chart

Good luck!

Additional Activities

Activity: Think of information you want to gather. Use 20 people as

your respondents. Gather your data through call or messenger. Choose two types of the graphical method of
presenting data in order to present your work.