Unit 6: Data Collection for Quantitative Research

Lesson 3: Tabular and Graphical

Presentation of Quantitative Data

Contents

Engage 1
Introduction 1
Objectives 2

Explore 2

Explain and Elaborate 4

Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data 4
Presenting Quantitative Data in Tables, Graphs, and Charts 5

Extend 12
Activity 12

Evaluate 13

Wrap Up 15

Bibliography 16
Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

Engage

Introduction

Fig. 1. An illustration of a woman weaving in a textbook

Pictures and other forms of visuals can make the content easier to understand. For visual
learners, the use of pictures stimulates their imagination, thus, making the learning process
more effective.

In quantitative research, the primary goal of using tabular and graphical presentations is to
support the presentation of the data. How do these representations aid in the
interpretation of data? How do visuals help in the readers’ understanding of the research
study? This lesson tackles the use of tables and different forms of graphics in presenting
quantitative research data.

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to do the following:
● Identify the different methods of data presentation.
● Differentiate tabular and graphical presentations.
● Apply the use of tabular and graphical presentations of quantitative data.

DepEd Competency
Present and interpret data in tabular and graphical forms. (CS_RS12-IId-g-2)

Explore

15 minutes

1. Form a group with three members.

2. Look for a quantitative research article on any topic related to your strand.
3. Identify how the research data was presented in the article, whether they were
presented in tabular or graphical forms.
4. Analyze with your group what type of research data the figures represent.
5. In two to three sentences, explain how the presentation of data in the article helped
your group understand its findings.

Type of presentation Research data presented by the tables

(tabular/graphical) and/or figures

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

Explanation:

Guide Questions
1. How did you identify the research data represented by the tables or figures?

2. How were the visual presentations based on the type of data that they represent?

3. What do you think is the importance of tabular and graphical presentations in

quantitative research?

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

Explain and Elaborate

Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

Data presentation is important in doing research because it constitutes a part of the
information dissemination process. Data presentation can be done prior, during, or after
the analysis of data. In quantitative research, the choice of method regarding data
presentation is important in making the findings more understandable since raw data are in
the form of numbers or codes in the case of non-numerical data. The two main methods of
data presentation in quantitative research are tabular and graphical presentations. Both
forms of data presentation are visual in nature and can be supplemented by a narrative
explanation.

Tabular presentations can be in the form of raw data tables and analytic tables. Raw
data presented in tables serve as records of information. These are usually constructed in
the process of summarizing data. On the other hand, analytic tables are constructed during
or after the analysis of the raw data. These analytic tables can be used for constructing the
narrative interpretation of the results.

Graphical presentations also vary in form. Graphical presentations are used to visually
represent the collected data. There are several types of graphical presentations used
depending on the type of data and variables being presented. Graphical presentations are
advantageous in showing patterns, shapes, and relationships between variables.

How do you interpret data in tabular form?

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

Presenting Quantitative Data in Tables, Graphs, and Charts

Tabular presentations
In a tabular presentation, the relevant data are organized and placed in rows and columns
representing the different variables of the study. Presenting data using tables enables the
researcher to simplify complex data. It makes the comparison of data easier and can also
support the construction of graphs and charts.

Table 1. Demographic profile of the respondents in terms of gender and strand

ABM STEM HUMSS GAS

Male 14 23 12 13

Female 23 14 34 10

TOTAL 37 37 46 23

In this example, there are two variables in Table 1: gender and strand. The attributes of the
gender variable (male, female) are placed as row headings while the attributes of a strand
(ABM, STEM, HUMSS, GAS) are placed as column headings. The given tabular presentation of
data shows that there are 14 male ABM students, 23 female ABM students, and 37 ABM
students in total. It also shows that the number of ABM and STEM students is equal (37
students).

This example shows how a tabular presentation of data can make the values of each
variable easily understood, compared, and summarized.

Graphical presentations
As previously mentioned, graphs and charts are most commonly used to visualize the
collected data for easier presentation and viewing. The data presented using these visual
forms represent the values and measures of variables that illustrate their relationship. They
enhance the interpretation of raw data by supporting the conclusion by conveying
information through appropriate figures. Several types of graphs and charts are used with

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

different types of research data. The following are the most commonly used and
encountered in quantitative research:

A pie chart is a type of graphical presentation that takes the shape of a pie divided into
different parts. The divisions of a pie chart are used to represent the parts of a whole which
is always equal to 100%. The pie chart is effective in showing how one part of the population
may be similar or different from the whole population. It is usually most effective in
presenting nominal types of data. Pie charts are used to represent different variables or
categories.

For example, in the field of business research, pie charts can be used in presenting different
areas of information, such as sales, profit, and expenses. In the example given below, the
pie chart is used to present the percentage of the items sold by an online shop.

Fig. 2. Percentage of sales of ABC Shop in Bazaar 2020

The given pie chart above shows the total number of sales of an online shop in a bazaar
held in 2020. The pie chart shows the different segments of the percentage of sales which
may easily depict the largest contributor to the sales of the shop as it is visually presented.

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

What is the importance of graphs and charts in

presenting quantitative data?

A bar chart is typically used to compare values and levels of data. In a bar chart, the bar
represents the value of a certain variable measured. The height represents its level placed
on the different axes on the chart. Bar charts may be drawn horizontally or vertically.
However, the use of bar charts is only fit for nominal and ordinal types of data. One of the
most important characteristics of using bar charts in presenting data is that it is able to
show trends, patterns, and similarities in data.

Fig. 3. Example of a bar chart

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

In the given example, a clear comparison of the data can be easily made. As mentioned
above, the x-axis of the chart represents the number of enrollees while the y-axis represents
the strands. The color of the bars represents the different school years from which the data
are collected.

A histogram is used to represent the distribution of data given a certain range. It is most
often used for interval and ratio types of data. It closely looks like bar charts; however, the
main difference is that histograms have no distance in between their bars each representing
its value. The level of the bar indicates the measure of a value that falls within that certain
range. In the given example below, the histogram indicates the age range and frequency of
a collated number of emergency room patients in January 2020 in XYZ hospital.

Fig. 4. Example of a histogram

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

In the example, the data presented shows how the number of emergency room patients is
distributed based on their age range. From this example, researchers may be able to
interpret that the taller the bar of a histogram, the higher frequency it represents.

Frequency polygons (also line graphs) are most commonly used in showing trends and
patterns in data over a period. It is also helpful in representing variations, estimates, and
forecasts. The use of frequency polygons is almost the same as how histograms present
data; however, frequency polygons make use of midpoints to represent values and
frequencies, which are connected by lines to depict its patterns. In some cases, frequency
polygons are used instead of histograms since they give a clearer picture of the data
presented.

Fig. 5. Example of a frequency polygon

In the example shown above, the data presented may be easily compared and contrasted as
it clearly shows changes in patterns or the trend of data. The x-axis holds the different

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

months from January to June. On the other hand, the y-axis shows the range of frequency of
the number of recorded leaves and absences over a period of time.

The use of graphs and charts depends on the type of variables being presented (Singh
2007). Given below are the different variable types according to their level of measurement
and the appropriate graphical presentation to be used in presenting data.

● Nominal variables
These are types of variables that have no quantitative or numerical equivalent,
such as gender, race, color, and taste. Such variables can show data that are
categorical in nature which makes the use of pie charts and bar charts as graphical
presentations appropriate.

● Ordinal variables
Ordinal variables are variables that can be ranked and be put into order (e.g.,
increasing or decreasing order, ascending or descending order) such as size. Ordinal
variables may be numerical or non-numerical. Unlike nominal variables, ordinal
variables allow for comparison since the ranks represent the level, direction, and size
of the variables being measured. For these types of variables, bar charts are the
most commonly used to present the data graphically.

Tip
Identify the type(s) of variables of the data to be presented (i.e., nominal,
ordinal, interval, ratio) in order to choose the appropriate graphical
presentation that will best visualize your quantitative data.

● Interval variables
Interval variables are numerical variables, which do not only represent the rank of
the variables but also quantifies the distance between them. Examples of interval
variables are temperature, time, and IQ scores. In presenting data with these
variables, the use of histograms and frequency polygons may be used.

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

● Ratio variables
Ratio variables are also numerical variables that measure the distance and ranks of
variables. Ratio variables are closely related to interval variables. However, the main
difference between the two types of variables is that ratio variables have absolute
zero points. An absolute zero means that an attribute may not exist. Examples of
such variables are income, weight, and length. Just like interval variables, the use of
histograms and frequency polygons are also used in graphical presentations of
ratio variables.

Table 2. Appropriate graphical presentation for different types of variables

Type of Pie Chart Bar Chart Histogram Frequency

Variable Polygon

Nominal ✔ ✔

Ordinal ✔

Interval ✔ ✔

Ratio ✔ ✔

The table above shows a summary of the appropriate form of graphical presentation
according to the type of variables available. All forms of tabular and graphical presentation
can be supported by a narrative explanation. It is important to remember that tabular or
graphical presentations of data will only be effective if the data are presented in an
organized and accurate manner.

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

Extend

Activity
Construct the appropriate graphical presentation for the given data set.

Year Product Sales of XYZ Company

2015 6, 050

2016 9, 570

2017 10, 580

2018 11, 400

2019 14, 750

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

Guide
Look carefully at the data to be interpreted. Analyze the given data set and the types
of variables presented when choosing the appropriate graphical presentation to be
used.

Evaluate

A. Identify the most appropriate type of graphical presentation for

the following types of quantitative research data.

1. Isabel wants to monitor the number of bookings their travel agency made for every
month of the past year. Which form of graphical presentation can best visualize their
data?

2. Abel needs to choose a figure that would represent the demographic profile of his
respondents according to their gender. Which form of graphical presentation can
best visualize his data?

3. Rose wants to show the patterns in enrollment in their degree program. Which form
of graphical presentation can best visualize the data?

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

B. In two to three sentences, answer the questions below.

1. How do figures, such as pie charts and graphs, affect the understanding and
interpretation of quantitative data?

2. How does the level of measurement of variables affect the presentation of data?

3. Why are tabular and graphical presentations of data important in quantitative

research?

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

Wrap Up
___________________________________________________________________________________________

● The summary of quantitative data may be presented in several methods such as

the use of tables and graphical presentations.
● Tabular presentations of data present data mainly in rows and columns wherein
each represents the variables measured.
● There are various forms of graphical presentations but the most commonly used are
pie charts, bar charts, histograms, and frequency polygons. The use of these figures
differs according to the type of variables available (i.e., nominal, ordinal, interval, and
ratio).

Fig. 6. Data presentation

___________________________________________________________________________________________

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Unit 6.3: Tabular and Graphical Presentation of Quantitative Data

Bibliography
Balnaves, Mark, and Peter Caputi. Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods: An
Investigative Approach. London: SAGE Publications, Ltd., 2001.

Bordens, Kenneth S., and Bruce Barrington Abbott. Research Design and Methods: A Process
Approach. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2018.

Gravetter, Frederick J., and Lori-Ann B. Forzano. Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences.
6th ed. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2018.

Hesse-Biber, Sharlene, and Johnson R. Burke.The Oxford Handbook of Multimethod and Mixed
Methods Research Inquiry. New York: Oxford University Press, 2015.

Kumar, Ranjit. Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. California: SAGE
Publications, Ltd., 2011.

Sapsford, Roger, and Victor Jupp. Data Collection and Analysis. 2nd ed. London: SAGE
Publications, Ltd., 2006.

Singh, Kultar. Quantitative Social Research Methods. New Delhi: SAGE Publications India Pvt
Ltd., 2007.

Wallwork, Adrian. English for Writing Research Papers. New York: Springer Science+Business
Media, 2011.

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