17

Module 3
Presentation of Data

Introduction
Given a large mass of data, it is very hard for a researcher
to comprehend all the information and implications of such
collected data. Normally, large masses of data or collected data
must be organized in order to show significant characteristics or
information.

Objectives:
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Familiarize with the different methods of data presentation.
2. Organize data by constructing a frequency distribution
table.
3. Draw the appropriate graph for a given set of data.
4. Implement the most appropriate method of data
presentation for a given data set.
Methods of Presenting Data:
1. Textual form where the data are presented in paragraph
form or in sentence form.
2. Tabular form where the data are presented in row and
columns
3. Graphical form where the data are presented in pictorial
or visual form.
Textual Method. In this method of data presentation, the
researcher uses the sentences to convey the information

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contained in the data, emphasis are only on important figures or

the relevance of the other figures. This form of presentation is
used for a very limited number of figures to present. Example of
such presentation can easily be seen on newspaper accounts.
Tabular Method. This method of data presentation makes use of
the table where data are arranged systematically into rows and
columns. This systematic arrangement of data is called a
statistical table. Through this process, data can be readily
understood and comparisons are more easily be made.
A good statistical table has four essential parts:
1. Table heading includes the table number and table title.
The title should briefly explain the contents of the table.
2. Stub items or classification written on the first column
and identifies what are written on the rows.
3. Caption or box head includes the items or
classifications written on the first row and identifies what
are contained in the columns.
4. Body the main part of the table and it contains the
substance or the figures of ones data.
In the construction of a table, the following guidelines should
prove helpful.
1. Every table must be self-explanatory.
2. The title should be clear and descriptive.
3. The title gives information about what, where, how, and
when the data were taken.
Example of a statistical table:
Table 3.1
Population of the Philippines 1877 - 1980
Year

Population

1877
1887
1896
1903
1918

5,567,685
5,984,727
6,261,339
7,635,426
10,314,310

Average Annual
Rate of Increase(%)
2.41
0.72
0.50
2.87
1.89

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1939
1948
1960
1970
1975
1980

16,000,303
19,234,182
27,087,685
36,684,486
41,831,045
48,098,000

2.22
1.91
3.06
3.01
2.66
2.40

Source of Data: National Statistics Office.

Frequency Distribution. A frequency distribution is an

arrangement of data that shows the frequency of occurrence of
the different values of the variables. There are two types of
frequency distribution. The qualitative frequency distributions
are usually constructed for discrete variables, while quantitative
frequency distributions are usually constructed for continuous
variable.
In constructing a qualitative frequency distribution, the
following steps are considered:
a. Enumerate the categories or classifications and define
these as your classes.
b. Count the number of observations falling under each
category. These are the frequencies of the different
classes.
Example of a qualitative frequency (according to a particular
category)
Table 3.2
DISTRIBUTION OF STUDENTS IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL
Year Level
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Fourth Year

Number of Students
694
339
214
111

In constructing a quantitative frequency distribution, the

following steps are considered:

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1. Determine the range R.

R = highest value lowest value
2. Solve for the number of classes or class intervals, k. Two
formulas can be used:
Square root method

Sturges
K = 1 + 3.322 log N

K=N
Formula
3. Determine the class size c.

= R/k
c is the nearest number to that has the same number of
decimal places as in the raw data.
4. Determine and enumerate the classes. Each class is an
interval of values defined by its lower an upper class
limits. There must be enough classes to include the
highest score and the lowest score. As a rule, the lowest
value in the date becomes the lower class limit (LL) of
the first class interval. Adding c to the lower class limit
of the preceding class interval obtains succeeding lower
limits. Upper class limits (UL) are obtained using the
following formula:
UL = LL + c 1 unit of measure
5. Count the number of observations that fall in each of the
class intervals.
Graphical Method. This method of data presentation makes use
of graphs or charts. A graph is a pictorial representation of
a set of data showing relationships. Some of the most
common type of graphs are the bar graph, line graph, pie
graph and pictograph.
Types of graphs:

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Line graph
The line graph shows the relationship between two or more sets
of quantities. This type of graph is appropriate for a variable that
varies with time.
Bar graph
The bar graph consists of vertical or horizontal bars of equal
widths. The length of the bars represent the magnitudes of the
quantities being compared. This type of graph is most
appropriate for comparing data at a particular time.
Pie chart or pie graph
The pie chart or pie graph is appropriate in comparing the parts
with the whole.
Pictograph
Another way of representing numerical values is through the use
of pictographs or picture graphs. In this type of chart, actual
pictures or facsimiles of the objects under study are used to
represent values. Each figure is considered a unit representing a
definite number.
Examples of each graph will be presented in class.
Graphical Representation of a Frequency Distribution
There are two graphical methods in the presentation of frequency
distribution.
Histogram
The histogram is a series of columns or vertical rectangles,
each having as its base one class interval, and the frequency or
number of cases in that class as its height.
Frequency polygon
The frequency polygon is the graph of the class mark against
the frequency. The shape of the histogram or the frequency
polygon gives an idea of the shape of the distribution.
Examples of histogram and frequency polygon will be
presented in class.

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Activity

1.

in a statistics test.
8
18
12
22

2
18
17
30
7

18
12
4
19
18

Given below are the scores of 44 students

13
8
22
26
11

23
17
2
8
10

8
11
8
8
22

19
3
13
12
9

13
16
8
21
21

6
5
2
15
16

a. Construct a frequency distribution with the following

columns: class interval, frequency, class mark, cumulative
frequencies (less than and greater than).
b. Construct the histogram and the frequency polygon of
the above data.
2. Below is a comparison of the number and type of nuclear
weapons between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) and the Warsaw Pact countries as of 1987. Draw the
graph that best represents the data.

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Number of Weapons
Type of Weapon

NATO
Countries

Short-range missile
Intermediate-range missile
Artillery (nuclear capable)
Nuclear-capable
tactical
aircraft

88
18
2924
1382

Warsaw Pact
Countrie
s
661
289
5598
2349

3. Below are monthly data on sales of a department store. What

type of graph will best represent the data? Draw and explain
the graph.
Month

Sales
(in thousand
pesos)

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

200
400
600
500
750
750
450
400
350
300
550
1,000

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4. The worlds watch production in 1988 was 560 million. The

percentage production of key regions and countries are found
below. Draw the graph that best represents the data.

Region/Country
China
Japan
Western Europe
North America
Eastern
Europe
&
USSR
South and Southeast
Asia
Latin America
Others

Percentage
Production
9.2
6.8
21.8
21.6
10.4
12.2
7.2
10.8