CLASSIFICATION

AND
TABULATION OF
DATA
Department of Economics
J L College, Hajipur, Vaishali
BRABU

This is for Students of BA third year paper VII and

also paper VIII (optional choices) option IV i.e.,
Mathematical Economics and Statistics

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CLASSIFICATION AND TABULATION

Classification and Tabulation

The data collected for the purpose of a statistical inquiry sometimes consists of a few
fairly simple figures, which can be easily understood without any special treatment. But
more often there is an overwhelming mass of raw data without any structure. Thus,
unwieldy, unorganised and shapeless mass of collected is not capable of being rapidly
or easily associated or interpreted. Unorganised data are not fit for further analysis and
interpretation. In order to make the data simple and easily understandable the first task
is not condensing and simplify them in such a way that irrelevant data are removed and
their significant features are stand out prominently. The procedure adopted for this
purpose is known as method of classification and tabulation. Classification helps
proper tabulation.
“Classified and arranged facts speak themselves; unarranged, unorganised they are
dead as mutton”.
- Prof. J.R. Hicks

Meaning of Classification
Classification is a process of arranging things or data in groups or classes according to
their resemblances and affinities and gives expressions to the unity of attributes that
may subsit among a diversity of individuals.

Definition of Classification
Classification is the process of arranging data into sequences and groups according to
their common characteristics or separating them into different but related parts.
- Secrist
The process of grouping large number of individual facts and observations on the basis
of similarity among the items is called classification.
- Stockton & Clark

Characteristics of classification
a) Classification performs homogeneous grouping of data
b) It brings out points of similarity and dissimilarities.
c) The classification may be either real or imaginary
d) Classification is flexible to accommodate adjustments

Objectives / purposes of classifications

i) To simplify and condense the large data

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 ii) To present the facts to easily in understandable form
iii) To allow comparisons
iv) To help to draw valid inferences
v) To relate the variables among the data
vi) To help further analysis
vii) To eliminate unwanted data
viii) To prepare tabulation

Guiding principles (rules) of classifications

Following are the general guiding principles for good classifications
a) Exhaustive: Classification should be exhaustive. Each and every item
in data must belong to one of class. Introduction of residual class (i.e.
either, miscellaneous etc.) should be avoided.
b) Mutually exclusive: Each item should be placed at only one class
c) Suitability: The classification should confirm to object of inquiry.
d) Stability: Only one principle must be maintained throughout the
classification and analysis.
e) Homogeneity: The items included in each class must be homogeneous.
f) Flexibility: A good classification should be flexible enough to
accommodate new situation or changed situations.

Modes / Types of Classification

Modes / Types of classification refers to the class categories into which the data could
be sorted out and tabulated. These categories depend on the nature of data and purpose
for which data is being sought.

Important types of classification

a) Geographical (i.e. on the basis of area or region wise)
b) Chronological (On the basis of Temporal / Historical, i.e. with respect to time)
c) Qualitative (on the basis of character / attributes)
d) Numerical, quantitative (on the basis of magnitude)

a) Geographical Classification

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 In geographical classification, the classification is based on the geographical
regions.
Ex: Sales of the company (In Million Rupees) (region – wise)
Region Sales

North 285

South 300

East 185

West 235

b) Chronological Classification
If the statistical data are classified according to the time of its occurrence, the type of
classification is called chronological classification.
Sales reported by a departmental store
Sales (Rs.) in
Month lakhs

January 22

February 26

March 32

April 25

May 27

June 30

c) Qualitative Classification
In qualitative classifications, the data are classified according to the presence or
absence of attributes in given units. Thus, the classification is based on some quality
characteristics / attributes.
Ex: Sex, Literacy, Education, Class grade etc.
Further, it may be classified as
a) Simple classification b) Manifold classification
i) Simple classification: If the classification is done into only two classes then
classification is known as simple classification.
Ex: a) Population in to Male / Female
b) Population into Educated / Uneducated

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 ii) Manifold classification: In this classification, the classification is based on more
than one attribute at a time.
Ex:

Population

Smokers Non-smokers

Literate Illiterate Literate Illiterate

Male Female Male Female

Male Female Male Female

d) Quantitative Classification: In Quantitative classification, the classification is

based on quantitative measurements of some characteristics, such as age, marks,
income, production, sales etc. The quantitative phenomenon under study is
known as variable and hence this classification is also called as classification by
variable.
Ex:
For a 50 marks test, Marks obtained by students as classified as follows
Marks No. of students

0 – 10 5

10 – 20 7

20 – 30 10

30 – 40 25

40 – 50 3

Total Students = 50
In this classification marks obtained by students is variable and number of students in
each class represents the frequency.

Tabulation Meaning and Definition of Tabulation

Tabulation may be defined, as systematic arrangement of data is column and rows. It
is designed to simplify presentation of data for the purpose of analysis and statistical
inferences.

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Major Objectives of Tabulation
1. To simplify the complex data
2. To facilitate comparison
3. To economise the space
4. To draw valid inference / conclusions
5. To help for further analysis

Differences between Classification and Tabulation

1. First data are classified and presented in tables; classification is the basis for
tabulation.
2. Tabulation is a mechanical function of classification because is tabulation
classified data are placed in row and columns.
3. Classification is a process of statistical analysis while tabulation is a process of
presenting data is suitable structure.

Classification of tables
Classification is done based on
1. Coverage (Simple and complex table)
2. Objective / purpose (General purpose / Reference table / Special table or
summary table)
3. Nature of inquiry (primary and derived table).
Ex:
a) Simple table: Data are classified based on only one characteristic
Distribution of marks
Class Marks No. of students

30 – 40 20

40 – 50 20

50 – 60 10

Total 50

b) Two-way table: Classification is based on two characteristics

No. of students
Class Marks
Boys Girls Total

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 30 – 40 10 10 20

40 – 50 15 5 20

50 – 60 3 7 10

Total 28 22 50
Frequency Distribution
Frequency distribution is a table used to organize the data. The left column (called
classes or groups) includes numerical intervals on a variable under study. The right
column contains the list of frequencies, or number of occurrences of each class/group.
Intervals are normally of equal size covering the sample observations range.
It is simply a table in which the gathered data are grouped into classes and the number
of occurrences, which fall in each class, is recorded.

Definition
A frequency distribution is a statistical table which shows the set of all distinct values
of the variable arranged in order of magnitude, either individually or in groups with
their corresponding frequencies.
- Croxton and Cowden
A frequency distribution can be classified as a) Series of individual observation
b) Discrete frequency distribution
c) Continuous frequency distribution

a) Series of individual observation

Series of individual observation is a series where the items are listed one after each
observation. For statistical calculations, these observations could be arranged is either
ascending or descending order. This is called as array.
Ex:
Marks obtained
Roll No. in statistics
paper

1 83

2 80

3 75

4 92

5 65

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 The above data list is a raw data. The presentation of data in above form doesn‟t reveal
any information. If the data is arranged in ascending / descending in the order of their
magnitude, which gives better presentation then, it is called arraying of data.

Discrete (ungrouped) Frequency Distribution

If the data series are presented in such a way that indicating its exact measurement of
units, then it is called as discrete frequency distribution. Discrete variable is one where
the variants differ from each other by definite amounts.
Ex:
Assume that a survey has been made to know number of post-graduates in 10 families
at random; the resulted raw data could be as follows.
0, 1, 3, 1, 0, 2, 2, 2, 2, 4
This data can be classified into an ungrouped frequency distribution. The number of
post-graduates becomes variable (x) for which we can list the frequency of occurrence
(f) in a tabular from as follows;
Number of post Frequency
graduates (x) (f)

0 2

1 2

2 4

3 1

4 1
The above example shows a discrete frequency distribution, where the variable has
discrete numerical values.

Continuous frequency distribution (grouped frequency distribution)

Continuous data series is one where the measurements are only approximations and are
expressed in class intervals within certain limits. In continuous frequency distribution
the class interval theoretically continuous from the starting of the frequency distribution
till the end without break. According to Boddington „the variable which can take very
intermediate value between the smallest and largest value in the distribution is a
continuous frequency distribution.
Ex:
Marks obtained by 20 students in students‟ exam for 50 marks are as given below –
convert the data into continuous frequency distribution form.
18 23 28 29 44 28 48 33 32 43

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 24 29 32 39 49 42 27 33 28 29
By grouping the marks into class interval of 10 following frequency distribution tables
can be formed.
Marks No. of students

0-5 0

5 – 10 0

10 – 15 0

15 – 20 1

20 – 25 2

25 – 30 7

30 – 35 4

35 – 40 1

40 – 45 3

45 – 50 2

Readings : paper of Nariman Yahya Othman

Statistical Methods by S P Gupta
Statistical Methods by D Elhance

THANK YOU!!!!!!