Chapter : 2 CLASSIFICATION & TABULATION

We have already seen how to collect the data about the behaviour of a group. The information is in
the form of questionnaires and schedules. These questionnaires and schedules must be edited first. Some of
them may contain erroneous data; some contradictory statements might be present in some. We have to
determine which of the statements is correct. In case of doubt we may be required to delete the whole
questionnaire form. Even after this is done, the data are very large and just by going through them no
conclusion can be drawn. For most people it is difficult to see relations and patterns in raw data. The
characteristics of a group of raw data must be summarized to make them comprehensible. Therefore, to
make the data under-standable and comparable, classification is necessary. This also provides a basis for
decision making. We classify the data according to certain characteristics and tabulate the information.
The data can be presented in any of the following forms. They may be:
1. incorporated in a paragraph of text
2. put into tabular form
3. expressed graphically
1. Text Presentation: It is not very effective since it is necessary to read the whole paragraph very
carefully, and most people will not be able to understand the data in this form easily. Following is an
example of text preparation.
A survey was conducted amongst one lakh spectators visiting, on a particular day, the cinema houses
showing criminal, social, historical, comic and mythological films. The proportion of male to female
spectators under survey was three to two. It indicated that the respective percentage of spectators seeing
criminal, social and historical films was sixteen, twenty-six and eighteen. The actual number of female
viewers seeing these types was four thousand six hundred, twelve thousand two hundred and seven thousand
two hundred and seven thousand eight hundred respectively. The remaining two types of films, namely comic
and mythological were seen by forty per cent and one per cent of the male spectators. The number of female
spectators seeing mythological films was four thousand four hundred.
2. Tabular Presentation: This method is better than the previous method. With its headings for
rows and columns the table is easier to understand. The data presented in the above text can be presented in
a tabular form as follows:
Types of film
Criminal
Social
Historical
Comic
Mythological
Total

Number of spectators
Males
Females
Total
11,400
4,600
16,000
13,800
12,200
26,000
10,200
7,800
18,000
24,000
11,000
35,000
600
4,400
5,000
60,000
40,000 1,00,000

The advantages of tabular form can be easily seen, if we compare the data in the above table with the data in
the paragraph given. Both the table and the paragraph contain the same data, but they are more clearly
represented in the table.
The data are classified and then presented in a tabular form. There are a number of ways of classifying the
data, but the possible classification can be grouped into the following four types:
1. Classification based on Differences of kind
2. Classification based on Differences of Degree
3. Geographic Classification
4. Time Series

1. Classification based on Differences of Kind: A business concern may sell a variety of products.
Information of sales of different products is a common requirement. Here the sales are classified according
to different kinds of products. The classes are set up on the basis of qualitative differences. The following
are the examples where this type of classification is used.
i.

Sales classified according to terms of sale cash, credit

ii.

Sales classified by salesman

iii.

Employees classified by types of work done

iv.

Products classified as defective or non defective

v.

Population classified by religion

vi.

Exports classified by commodities

No. of students in a college
Male
2000
Female
1000
Total
3000

This table considers only one characteristic, namely sex. The following table considers two characteristics
and classifies the workers in a factory.
Type

Number of workers

Permanent
Temporary
Total
Similarly, we can consider three or four characteristics in a table.
2. Classification based on Differences of Degree: If households are classified according to income
received in 2000, we get a classification of this type. Here the classes represent varying degrees of income,
and all households having income between certain specified amounts are placed in the same class.
This classification will be quantitative, as the differences of degree will be expressed in quantitative terms.
Sometimes such classification is done on qualitative terms, but that is not usually satisfactory. Employees
may be classified as young, middle aged and old. But this classification is not very clear. The following are
examples of classification of this type.
i.

Classification of a group of persons according to age.

ii.

Customers of a store classified according to amount of annual purchases.

iii.

Retail stores classified according to yearly volumes of sales.

iv.

Factories classified according to number of employees.

v.

Banks classified according to amounts of deposits.

Age in years
03
36
69
9 12
Total

No. of children
10
20
25
15
70

3. Geographic Classification: This separates the data into groups according to the continents, countries
and other geographic subdivisions. Productions of rice in different states in India, population in different
states are examples of this type of classification.
Rainfall in some states in India 1997 98
State
Rainfall (in cms)
Andhra Pradesh
105
Kerala
125
Chennai
120
Maharashtra
100
4. Time Series: Here the data are classified on the basis of time intervals and arranged in the order of
occurrence. The following are the examples of time series.
i.

Yearly exports of India from 1971 to 1973

ii.

Number f books borrowed by students every week in a college library.

iii.

Total strength of a college for years 1990 to 1997.

The following table gives the yearly production of a factory for the years 1990 91 to 1994 95.
Year
No. of units (in 000)
1990 91
30
1991 92
35
1992 93
33
1993 94
37
1994 95
39
Descriptive Characteristics
There are certain characteristics, which are not capable of numerical measurement, eg. Blindness, literacy
and smartness. These are descriptive characteristics. These are also called attributes. The persons who
possess the characteristic are placed in one class and those who do not possess it are placed in another
class.
If we consider only one characteristic at a time, we have simple classification, ie., if we consider only
blindness we have simple classification. But if more than one characteristic are considered simultaneously,
we have manifold classification. If we divide a group of persons according to sex and age group in addition
to blindness, we have manifold classification.
In this type of classification the classes should be determined clearly. For example, if we are considering
literacy we should decide whether we call a person literate if he knows only how to sign or should be able to
write and read according to certain standard. If there is no clarity the purpose of classification is not
served.
Numerical Characteristics
Certain characteristics can be measured quantitatively. If we consider the heights of 100 students, the height
can be measured numerically and it will vary from student to student. Therefore height is called a variable.
Other examples of variables are marks, age, income, size of readymade garments, size of shirts, etc.
The variables are classified as discrete and continuous. The size of shoes can be denoted by 5, 6, 7, etc.
This variable cannot take a value between 5 and 6 or between 6 and 7. Such variables are called discrete
variables. If we consider height in cms, it can take any value in a given range. Such variables are called
continuous variables.

PARTICULARS OF TABLES
The data classified are to be tabulated. While tabulating, we have to bear in mind many particulars, which
make the table interesting, effective and useful.
PARTS OF THE TABLE
i.

Title: The title should convey clearly the subject and the scope of the table. It should tell us what is
represented in the table. The title should be brief. It should be in series of phrases rather that long
sentences. The title lettering should be large enough and prominent in the table.

ii.

Captions or Column Headings: At the top of each column, we should write what the column
represents. This column heading is known as caption. The unit of measurement for the
observations in the column should also be included in caption. e.g. Height in cms. Or export in
crores of Rs. The captions may be shown in smaller letters than the main heading. The width of
each column should be decided by the largest number to be represented in the column and the
caption should be made to fit in that place.

iii.

Stubs or Row headings: Each horizontal row is designated. These designations are known as
Stubs. The length of the stub items determines the width of that column.

iv.

Arrangements: The captions and stubs should be arranged in some systematic order. The items to
be compared should be in consecutive columns. The order shows which items are to be emphasized.
The totals of the columns are placed at the bottom of the columns and those of rows are placed in
extreme right hand column. The principal basis for arranging the items are alphabetical,
chronological, geographical, order of size, order of interest or emphasis and least according to
custom.

v.

Footnote: If any explanation in the table is not complete, it is advisable to give it in a footnote.
The table as far as possible should be complete and should not need any footnote.

vi.

Source: Source also should be indicated at the bottom of the table. If the user wishes to check the
data he can do so from the original source.

The following rules should be observed while preparing a table:

1. A table should be complete within itself. It should not be necessary to read footnotes.
2. It should be logical unit, and only data which are related be placed in the same table.
3. The arrangement of stubs and captions should be such that desired emphasis is secured.
4. The title should be written at the top of the table which should be clear and precise.
5. Captions and stubs should be brief and clear. Footnotes may be added when necessary.
6. The captions and stubs may be grouped to indicate relationship.
7. Units of measurement should be carefully stated.
8. Source should be stated.
9. The table should be accurate; otherwise, people will lose faith in the work as a whole.
When tables are transferred from one record to another they should be checked properly.
PROBLEMS

1.

A supermarket divided into five main sections: grocery, vegetables, medicines, textiles and novelties
recorded the following sales in 1961, 1962 and 1963.
In 1961, sales in grocery, vegetables, medicines and novelties were Rs. 6,25,000, Rs.2,20,000m Rs.
1,88,000 and Rs. 94,000 respectively. Textiles accounted for 30% of the total sales during the
year.
In 1962, the total sales showed 10% increase over the previous year. While grocery and
vegetables registered 8% and 10% increase over their corresponding figures in 1961, medicines
dropped by Rs.13,000. Textiles stood at Rs. 5,36,000,
In 1963, though the total sales remained the same as in 1962, grocery fell by Rs. 22,000,
vegetables by Rs.32,000, medicines by Rs, 10,000 and novelties by Rs.12,000.
-

Tabulate the above information.

2.

According to the census of Manufacturers report, John Smith Manufacturing Company employed
400 non-union and 1250 union employees in 1941. Of these 220 were females of which 140 were
non-union employees. In 1942, the number of union employees increased to 1475 of which 1300
were males. Of the 250 non-union employees 200 were males. In 1943, 1700 employees were
union members and 50 were non-union members. In 1943, 250 were females of which 240 were
union members. In 1944, the total number of employees was 2000 of which one percent was nonunion employees. Of all the employees in 1944, 300 were females of which 5% were non-union
employees.

3.

Of all the employees in a certain company, one-in-three is a woman and one-in-twelve is a married
woman. One-in-six of the men is a married man, six married men and five per cent married
women are married couples.

4.

The city of Timbaktoo was divided into three areas, the administrative district, urban district and
rural district. A survey of housing conditions was carried out and the following information was
collected.
There were 6,77,100 buildings of which 1,76,100 were in rural district. Of the buildings in urban
district, 4,06,600 were inhabited and 4,500 were under construction. In the administrative district
4,000 buildings were uninhabited and 500 were under construction out of the total of 61,600. The
total buildings in the city that were under construction were 62,600 and those uninhabited were
44,900.

5.

The total number of accidents in Southern Railways in 1960 was 3500 and it decreased by 300 in
1961 and by 700 in 1962. The total number of accidents in metergauge section showed a
progressive increase from 1960 to 1962. It was 248 in 1960, 346 in 1961, and 428 in 1962. In
metergauge section Not Compensated cases were 59 in 1960, 77 in 1961and 108 in 1962.
Compensated cases in broadgauge section were 2867, 2587 and 2152 in the three years
respectively. From the above report prepare a neat table as per the rules of tabulation.

6.

At a competitive Examination, at which 600 students appeared, boys out-numbered girls by 96.
Those qualifying for interview exceeded in number those failing to qualify by 310. The number of
science graduate boys interviewed was 300 while among the arts graduate girls there were 25 who
failed to qualify for interview. Altogether there were only 135 Arts graduates and 33 among them
failed to qualify. Boys who failed to qualify numbered 18.

7.

200 women from each of the age groups 20 to 30, 30 to 50 and 50 to 60 were surveyed. 50% of the
women from the age group 20 to 30 were educated of whom 70 had a job, 60 of the uneducated
women had a job. 35% of the women from the age group 30 to 50 were educated of whom only 30
had a job, while 100 of the uneducated women belonging to the same age group did not have a

job. 80% of the women from the age group 50 to 60 were uneducated and no one from them had a
job, while 75% of the educated women did not have a job. - Tabulate the information.
8.

In a market survey of 25,000 women from Mumbai, exactly one-fourth were non-Maharashtrians, 15
out of every 25 women were employed and 70 per cent of Maharastrian women were employed.
60% of employed Maharashtrian women and 20% of employed non-Maharashtrian women were
married.
The number of unmarried Maharashtrian women who were unemployed was 3250 and 1435
unmarried non-Maharashtrian women were not employed.
- Tabulate the above data.

9.

A survey of 1000 persons from Mumbai was conducted, of which 60% were Maharashtrians and the
remaining non-Maharashtrians. The ratio of total number of men and women was 1 : 1. 50% of the
men were Maharashtrians and the remaining non- Maharashtrians. 100 non- Maharashtrian men
and 50 Maharashtrian men watched English news on television. And among women, 100
Maharashtrian women and 50 non- Maharashtrian women watched Hindi News on television.
- Tabulate the above data.

10.

In 1989, out of 2000 students, appearing for HSC Examination at Dadar centre, 785 had opted for
Mathematics and the remaining for Secretarial Practice. The number of girls was 150 of whom 850
had opted for Secretarial Practice.
In 1990, the number of students with Mathematics as the optional subject was 875, of which 615
were boys while the number of students with Secretarial Practice decreased to 1185 of which 795
were girls.
In 1991, the total number of students increased by 150 and increase in the number of boys was
double the increase in the number of girls. Out of 1400 students who had opted for Secretarial
Practice, 935 were girls.
-

11.

Tabulate the above information.

200 women from each of the age groups 20 to 30, 30 to 50 and 50 to 60 were surveyed. 50% of the
women from the age group 20 to 30 were educated of whom 70 had a job, 60 of the uneducated
women had a job.
35% of the women from the age group 30 to 50 were educated, of whom only 30 had a job, while 100
of the uneducated women belonging to the same age group did not have a job.
80% of the women from the age group 50to 60 were uneducated and no one from them had a job,
while 75% of the educated women did not have a job.
-

12.

In a survey about preference of cold drink (Pepsi and Coke) in a College A, the following
information was obtained. In College A, girls were 60% out of total number of 3000 students. The
percentage of students who preferred Pepsi was 45%. The number of girls with preference for Coke
was one third of the total number of the girls.
-

13.

Tabulate the above information.

Tabulate the above information.

A survey was conducted to find whether there is any relation between the education of father and
son. A total of 90 pairs of father and son were surveyed. 100 sons had post graduate degrees while
the remaining were only graduates. Fathers of 50% of the sons having post-graduate degrees had
post-graduate degrees themselves, while fathers of only one third of the remaining students had postgraduate degrees.
-

Tabulate the above information.

13.

The following is the summary of the time of leaving home and the number of hours spent in the
institution of a group of teachers in a certain institution. Present it in a tabular form.
One teacher leaves the home before 5.30 a.m. and spends 4 hours in the institution. Of the 23
teachers who leave their homes between 6 and 7 a.m., 7 teachers spend 3 hours, 11 teachers spend 4
hours, 2 teachers spend 5 hours and 3 teachers 6 hours. Of the 16 who leave between 7 and 8 a.m. 4
teachers spend 3 hours, 6 teachers 4 hours, 1 teacher 5 hours and 5 teachers 6 hours. Of the 82
teachers, who leave between 8 and 10 a.m. 6 teachers spend 3 hours, 9 teachers 4 hours, 21
teachers 5 hours, 46 teachers 6 hours. Of the 21 who leave between 10 and 11 a.m. 2 teachers spend
3 hours, 8 teachers 4 hours, 7 teachers 5 hours and 4 teachers 6 hours.
Solution:
SUMMARY OF THE TIME OF LEAVING HOME AND TIME SPENT IN THE INSTITUTION
OF A GROUP OF TEACHERS
Time of leaving
home
Before 5.30 a.m.
6 7 a.m.
7 8 a.m.
8 10 a.m.
10 11 a.m.
Total

14.

7
4
6
2
19

Number of hours spent

4
5
1

11
2
6
1
9
21
8
7
35
31

3
5
46
4
58

Total
1
23
16
82
21
143

60 per cent of the population of town A are males, 80 per cent of the males and 30 per cent of the
females are non-vegetarians. Tabulate this data.
Solution:
POPULATION OF A TOWN

Males
Females
Total
15.

Vegetarian
12
28
40

% of Population
Non-Vegetarian
48
12
60

Total
60
40
100

60% of the pilgrims in a conducted tour arranged by Asha Travels are 60 years or older; 30% are
40 years or above but less than 60 years. The rest are below 40 years. The percentages of females
in these three groups are 10, 25 and 30 respectively. The number of female pilgrims in the last group
(below 40 years) is 12.
- Tabulate the above information.

16.

A survey of 1500 workers in a factory gave the following results. Tabulate the information.
One third of the workers were females; 80% of the female workers were below 40 while the
percentage of male workers below 40 was 50. 80% of male workers below 40 were skilled and the
remaining unskilled. 40% of the male workers above 40 were skilled and the remaining unskilled.
40% of the male workers above 40 were skilled. There was no skilled female worker above 40 while
50 percent of the female workers below 40 were skilled.

SOLUTION:
DETAILS OF WORKERS IN A FACTORY
Age
Below 40
Above 40
Total
17.

Skille
d
400
200
600

Male
Unskille
d
100
300
400

Total
500
500
1000

Skille
d
200
0
200

Female
Unskille
d
200
100
300

Total
400
100
500

Skille
d
600
200
800

Total
Unskille
d
300
400
700

Total
900
600
1500

In the annual report of a mobile company, it is indicated that the company drilled a total of 882
wells in 1977 and 487 in 1978. Two types of drilling operations were conducted, wild cat and
developmental. In 1977, a total of 40 wile cat wells and 842 developmental wells were drilled; the
comparable figures for 1978 were 46 and 441. There were 3 possible outcomes when a well was
drilled oil, gas or dry hole. Of the wild cat wells drilled in 1977, 6 resulted in oil, 4 in gas and 30
in dry holes, the comparable figures for 1978 were 6, 4 and 36. of the developmental wells drilled in
1977, 660 resulted in oil, 77 in gas and 105 in dry holes, the comparable figures for 1978 were 300,
77 and 64.
- Tabulate the above information.

18.

Out of a total number of 2000 candidates, interviewed for employment in a company at Nasik, 628
were from Pune and the rest from Nasik. Amongst the graduates from Pune, 350 were experienced
and 80 were inexperienced. While, the corresponding figures for undergraduates from Nasik, were
615 and 52 respectively. The total number of inexperienced candidates from Pune and Nasik were
175 and 192 respectively.
- Tabulate the above information.

19.

There are two families x and y whose monthly average expenses are classified under five heads (a)
House rent (b) Household (c) Education (d) Medical and (e) Miscellaneous. Family x spends Rs.
1500/- as monthly house rent whereas y spends Rs. 1000/- only. Family x spends twice the amount
under the head (b) as y spends on account of (a). Expenditures under (c) are Rs.400/- and Rs.500/where x spends more than y. Medical expenses of family y are Rs
.50/- more than that of x. Total
expenses under the head (e) of the two families taken together are Rs.500/- Medical expenses of x
are half its expenses under (c). House hold expenses of family y are six times its expenses on
account of (d). Total expenses of family x are Rs.4600/- Tabulate the above information.

20.

Out of the total number of 1807 women who were interviewed for employment in a textile factory of
Mumbai, 512 were from textile areas and the rest from the non-textile areas. Amongst the married
women who belonged to textile areas, 247 were experienced and 73 inexperienced while for nontextile areas the corresponding figures were 49 and 520. The total number of inexperienced women
was 1341 of whom 111 resided in textile areas, the number of experienced unmarried women in the
textile and non-textile areas were 154 and 16 respectively.