Considerations in Designing Statistical Tables
(From Don Rowland, 2003, Demographic Methods and Concepts Oxford UP, Oxford. Table 5.3, p 160 © Oxford University Press. By permission of Oxford University Press).
1.Title
The title of the table indicates which population is under consideration, when the data were collected and which characteristics of the population are included.
2. Row and column headings
The headings define the categories into which the data are divided.
The number of categories depends on whether the table is intended as a summary or as a means of publishing detailed findings.
Broad categories may disguise significant internal variations, while many narrow categories may defeat the purpose of producing a summary.
Headings ought to be mutually exclusive, as instance income categories $10,000-19,999 and $20,000-29,999 rather than $10, 000-20,000 and $20,000-30,000.
3. Data
Summary figures are usually presented in an immediately useable form, ready to be read in conjunction with the text. Percentages, rates and ratios facilitate comparisons.
Absolute numbers may be important in their own right, such as for planning and marketing applications.
Absolute numbers also serve to show sample sizes or the totals from which other figures derive.
4. Source
The source of the information is usually specified at the bottom of the table; it is an essential aid to readers in judging the reliability of the information and in following up further details for themselves.
5. Footnotes
Footnotes may be needed to define terms in the title or row and column headings, or to specify limitations in the scope or accuracy of the information.