Tabular Display of Data
Prepared by:
Gary Klass
gmklass@ilstu.edu
Data Presentation Standards
“Graphical Excellence” -- Edward Tufte
• well-designed presentation of data of
substance, statistics and design
• complex ideas communicated with
clarity, precision and efficiency
• the greatest number of ideas in the
shortest time with the least ink in the
smallest space.
Best example: Baseball statistics
Defense presentation at John Gotti trial:
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OF GOVERNMENT INFORMANTS
CRIME
MURDER
CARDINALE
LOFARO
MALONEY
X
X
X
X
X
ATTEMPTED MURDER
HEROIN POSSESSION AND SALE
COCAINE POSSESSION AND SALE
X
X
X
POLISI
SENATORE
FORONJY
X
X
X
MARIJUANA POSSESSION AND SALE
GAMBLING BUSINESS
ARMED ROBBERIES
X
LOANSHARKING
X
X
KIDNAPPING
EXTORTION
ASSAULT
POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS WEAPONS
X
X
PERJURY
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
COUNTERFEITING
X
BANK ROBBERY
ARMED HIJACKING
X
STOLEN FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS
TAX EVASION
BURGLARIES
X
BRIBERY
THEFT:
AUTO, MONEY, OTHER
BAIL JUMPING AND ESCAPE
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
INSURANCE FRAUDS
FORGERIES
PISTOL WHIPPING A PRIEST
SEXUAL ASSAULT ON MINOR
RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT
X
X
CURRO
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Meaningful Data
• Count
• Divide
• Compare
Meaningful Data (contd.)
• Use rates, ratios and per capita measures
rather than aggregate totals.
• Two time points are better than one.
– Show change over a meaningful time
period. (5 year change rather than annual
change).
– Multi-year trends are best presented in
time series charts rather than tables.
• Show the source of the data
Rates and Ratios
Two times points are better
Bad Tabular Display
Draw Conclusions from Meaningful
Comparisons
• One year changes in crime rates are not very
meaningful
• Rates (and averages) tell more than counts
(crimes rates, not crime counts)
Unambiguous Data
• Each number in a table should have a
precise meaning.
– Use titles, headings, and notes to clearly define
the data.
• Be precise when using rates and ratios
– Clearly define the numerator and denominator of
the measures
• Be clear about percent change, net
percentage change.
– Abortion rate vs. Abortion ratio
– % of poor vs. the % that are poor
– Net change vs. % percentage change
Unambiguous Data
Change in Teenage Birth Rates: 1987-1998
White
6.7%
Black
-4.9
Asian
-1.8
Hispanic 3.7
Source: Statistical Abstract 2000, table 85
Efficiency
Data can be quickly interpreted by the reader.
– Sort data on the most meaningful variable
– Time always left to right
– Similar data goes down the columns
– Highlight important comparisons
– Don’t force comparisons between two different
tables
– Consistent formatting across tables
Do not sort alphabetically
American League East Standings
Baltimore
Boston
New York
Tampa Bay
Toronto
W
51
72
78
69
57
L
75
53
47
56
67
PCT
0.405
0.576
0.624
0.552
0.460
GB
27.5
6
9
20.5
Sort data….
Sorting data by least meaningful variable
Time goes left to right……………….
Variables define the columns
Variables define columns………
Highlight critical comparisons….
Highlighting
Comparisons
Table 1
Infant Mortality Rates, per 1,000 live births,
(circa 2005-2010)
Age Group
0-1
0-5
1-5
year
years
years
Sweden
3.2
4.0
0.8
Austria
4.4
5.4
1.0
Finland
3.7
4.7
1.0
France
4.2
5.2
1.0
Japan
3.2
4.2
1.0
Switzerland
4.1
5.1
1.0
Belgium
4.2
5.3
1.1
Greece
6.7
7.8
1.1
Italy
5.0
6.1
1.1
Spain
4.2
5.3
1.1
Canada
4.8
5.9
1.1
Germany
4.3
5.4
1.1
Norway
3.3
4.4
1.1
Australia
4.4
5.6
1.2
Netherlands
4.7
5.9
1.2
United Kingdom
4.8
6.0
1.2
Ireland
4.9
6.2
1.3
Poland
6.7
8.0
1.3
Denmark
4.4
5.8
1.4
Cuba
5.1
6.5
1.4
New Zealand
5.0
6.4
1.4
United States
6.3
7.8
1.5
Portugal
5.0
6.6
1.6
Source: United Nations World Population Prospects Report, 2006
Excel skills
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Combine cells for title, use word wrap
Adjust cell widths
Sort data
Use formulas and copy formulas
Do not use too many fonts
Decimal places: 2 significant digits
Horizontal borders
Copy image to Word