In statistics frequency table refers to the tabular representation of frequencies of a sample. The frequency distribution of a sample can be represented in three ways: (a) Textual representation, (b) tabular representation and (c) diagrammatic representation.
(a) Textual representation: This method comprises presenting data with the help of a paragraph or a number of paragraphs. The official report of an enquiry commission is usually made by textual presentation. The merit of this mode lies in its simplicity and even a layman can present data by this method. This method is however not preferred by statisticians simply because it is dull monotonous and comparison between different observations is not possible in this method.
(b) Tabular representation: We can define frequency table as a systematic presentation of data with the help of a statistical table having a number of rows and columns and complete with reference number, title, description of rows as well as columns and foot notes, if any. This method is any day better than the textual representation because it facilitates comparison between rows and columns. Complicated data can also be represented using a frequency table. To be able to make a diagram for the distribution we first need the data in tabular form. Only then can we convert it to a bar chart or a pie chart. All other parameters such as mean, median, mode, standard deviation, regression analysis etc are not possible unless we have the frequency distribution table.
Example of a frequency table:
The production of rice in a particular region for each year starting from the year 2001 to the year 2007 is given in the frequency table below:
(c) Diagrammatic representation of data: Another alternative and attractive representation of statistical data is provided by charts, diagrams and pictures. The various forms of diagrammatic representations are bar chart, histogram, pie chart, etc.
(a) Textual representation: This method comprises presenting data with the help of a paragraph or a number of paragraphs. The official report of an enquiry commission is usually made by textual presentation. The merit of this mode lies in its simplicity and even a layman can present data by this method. This method is however not preferred by statisticians simply because it is dull monotonous and comparison between different observations is not possible in this method.
(b) Tabular representation: We can define frequency table as a systematic presentation of data with the help of a statistical table having a number of rows and columns and complete with reference number, title, description of rows as well as columns and foot notes, if any. This method is any day better than the textual representation because it facilitates comparison between rows and columns. Complicated data can also be represented using a frequency table. To be able to make a diagram for the distribution we first need the data in tabular form. Only then can we convert it to a bar chart or a pie chart. All other parameters such as mean, median, mode, standard deviation, regression analysis etc are not possible unless we have the frequency distribution table.
Example of a frequency table:
The production of rice in a particular region for each year starting from the year 2001 to the year 2007 is given in the frequency table below:
Year
|
Quantity in MT (Metric tons)(frequency)
|
2001
|
25
|
2002
|
30
|
2003
|
32
|
2004
|
36
|
2005
|
35
|
2006
|
35
|
2007
|
37
|
In the above frequency table example we see that it is relative easy to understand the data. By merely looking at the table we can say that the production in the year 2004 was 36 MT. Also it is fairly simple to calculate the mean, median mode etc as well. Thus we see that representing frequency distribution in tabular has many merits.
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