Data presentation &

interpretation
Learning objectives

 Understand different ways to best summarize

data
 Choose the right table/graph for the right data
 Interpret data to consider the programmatic
relevance
Summarizing data

 Tables
 Simplest way to summarize data
 Data are presented as absolute numbers or
percentages
 Charts and graphs
 Visual representation of data
 Data are presented as absolute numbers or
percentages
Basic guidance when
summarizing data
 Ensure graphic has a title
 Label the components of your graphic
 Indicate source of data with date
 Provide number of observations (n = xx) as a
reference point
 Add footnote if more information is needed
 Tables: Frequency distribution
Set of categories with numerical counts

Number of Births in Ouallam, Niger, 1900–1902

Year Number of births

1900 61
1901 58
1902 75

Data source: Pagano, M. Vital Events Survey in Northern Niger.

Studies in Demographics, 1993. Vol. 27, pp. 32–37.
Tables: Relative frequency
number of values within an interval
x 100
total number of values in the table

Year # births (n) Relative frequency (%)

1900–1909 35 27
1910–1919 46 34
1920–1929 51 39
Total 132 100.0
Tables
Percentage of births by decade between 1900 and 1929
Year Number of births Relative frequency
(n) (%)
1900–1909 35 27
1910–1919 46 34
1920–1929 51 39
Total 132 100.0

Source: U.S. Census data; 1900-1929.

Charts and graphs

 Charts and graphs are used to portray:

 Trends, relationships, and comparisons
 The most informative are simple and self-
explanatory
Use the right type of graphic

 Charts and graphs

 Bar charts: comparisons, categories of data
 Line graphs: display trends over time
 Pie charts: show percentages or proportional
share
 Bar chart
Comparing categories
6

4
Site 1
3
Site 2
2 Site 3

0
Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4
 Percentage of new enrollees tested for HIV at each
site, by quarter
6
% o f new enrol lees tested for

3
HIV

2
Site 1
1 Site 2
0 Site 3
Quarter 1
Q1 Jan-Mar Q2 Quarter
Apr-June 2 Q3Quarter 3
July-Sept Quarter
Q4 4
Oct-Dec
Months

Data Source: Program records, AIDSRelief, January 2009 – December 2009.rce:

Quarterly Country Summary: Nigeria, 2008
 Has the program met its goal?
Percentage of new enrollees tested for HIV at each site, by
quarter
60%
% of new enrollees tested

50%
40%
for HIV

30% Site 1
20% Site 2
Site 3
10%
Target
0%
Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4

Data Source - Program records, AIDS Relief January 2009 – December 2009rce:
Quarterly Country Summary: Nigeria, 2008
Stacked bar chart
Represents components of whole & compares
wholes
Number of Months Female and Male Patients Have Been
Enrolled in HIV Care, by Age Group

Females 4 10

Males 0-14 years

3 6
15+ years

0 5 10 15
Number of months patients have been enrolled in HIV care

Data source: AIDSRelief program records January 2009 - 20011

 Line graph
Displays trends over time
Number of Clinicians Working in Each Clinic During Years 1–4*
6

5
Number of clinicians

4
Clinic 1
3
Clinic 2
2 Clinic 3

0
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

*Includes doctors and nurses

 Line graph
Number of Clinicians Working in Each Clinic During Years 1–4*
6

5
Number of clinicians

4
Clinic 1
3
Clinic 2
2 Clinic 3

0
Year 1
Y1 1995 Y2Year
19962 Y3Year
19973 Year
Y4 4
1998

Zambia Service Provision Assessment, 2007.

*Includes doctors and nurses

Pie chart
Contribution to the total = 100%
Percentage of All Patients Enrolled by Quarter

8%

10%

1st Qtr
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
23% 59% 4th Qtr

N=150
Interpreting data
Interpreting data

 Adding meaning to information by making

connections and comparisons and by exploring
causes and consequences

Conduct
Relevance Reasons Consider
further
of finding for finding other data
research
Interpretation – relevance of finding

 Adding meaning to information by making

connections and comparisons and by exploring
causes and consequences

Conduct
Relevance Reasons Consider
further
of finding for finding other data
research
Interpretation – relevance of finding

 Does the indicator meet the target?

 How far from the target is it?
 How does it compare (to other time periods,
other facilities)?
 Are there any extreme highs and lows in the
data?
Interpretation – Possible causes?
• Supplement with expert opinion
• Others with knowledge of the program or target
population

Conduct
Relevance Reasons Consider
further
of finding for finding other data
research
Interpretation – Consider other data

Use routine service data to clarify questions

- Calculate nurse-to-client ratio, review
commodities data against client load, etc.
Use other data sources

Conduct
Relevance Reasons Consider
further
of finding for finding other data
research
Interpretation – Other data
sources
 Situation analyses
 Demographic and health surveys
 Surveillance data
 Performance improvement data

Conduct
Relevance Reasons Consider
further
of finding for finding other data
research
Interpretation – conduct further
research
 Data gap conduct further research
 Methodology depends on questions being asked
and resources available

Conduct
Relevance Reasons Consider
further
of finding for finding other data
research
Key messages

 Use the right graph for the right data

 Tables – can display a large amount of data
 Graphs/charts – visual, easier to detect patterns
 Label the components of your graphic
 Interpreting data adds meaning by making
connections and comparisons to program
 Service data are good at tracking progress &
identifying concerns – do not show causality
Group Work 2: Calculating
coverage and efficiency
Learning objectives

 Use basic statistics to measure coverage and

efficiency
 Develop graphs that display performance
measures (utilization, trends)
 Interpret performance measures for
programmatic decision making
Small group activity
 Form groups of 4–6
 Each group reviews 2 worksheets from Excel file
and answers the questions (1 hour 45 min)
 Each group presents 2 findings from each
worksheet, focusing on the programmatic
relevance of the findings (10 min per group)
 Audience provides feedback on analysis and
interpretation (notes errors, additional
interpretations) (10 min per group)
Group Work 2: Report back

 Each group will have 10 minutes to present its

completed Framework
 Group discussion – Are there other data sources
that might have been used in this decision? Were
there other stakeholders that should have been
considered? (10 min)