Difference Between Classification and Tabulation

Classification is prepared to analyze the collected data, whereas tabulation presents the collected data. The significant difference between classification and tabulation is how they use the data.

Classification is the method of arranging the data into different groups based on their characteristics, whereas presenting data in a more organized way. Hence, it is easier to interpret and compare them known as Tabulation.

Key Takeaways

1. Classification is categorizing data into groups based on their characteristics or attributes.
2. Tabulation is organizing and presenting data in a table or chart.
3. Classification is a method of data analysis, while tabulation is a method of data presentation.

Classification vs Tabulation

“Classification” means to divide the data into various categories, and tabulation means to put the data in a tabular form. Classification is made after data collection, while tabulation is made after classification.

After the process of collecting data is done, it then needs to be examined. At this stage, the data is raw, and for it to be ready for analysis, it needs to undergo a process of editing.

After editing, the data needs to be coded carefully. After the data has been coded, the data needs to be classified and tabulated where we represent them in tables consisting of rows and columns.

For an average person, classification and tabulation may seem similar, but they are not the same. Classification means arranging data in a group, whereas tabulation represents data in rows and columns.

Comparison Table

Parameter of Comparison	Classification	Tabulation
Difference	Arranging data into different groups based on their characteristics	Representing data in a more organized way, for example, in rows and columns
Happens after	It takes place after the data has been collected	Happens after classification
Method of arranging the data?	They arrange data based on their characteristics and behaviour	Arranged in rows and columns
Why it exists?	To make the process of analyzing data much easier	To help represent data
Divides data into	Different groups and subgroups	Based on headings and sub-headings

What is Classification?

Classification can be explained as the process of judging the data based on their characteristics and behaviour, which is later organized into different groups and subgroups.

Classification helps remove any details from the data which are not essential, and after the data has undergone the classification process, it makes it easier to analyze it.

In the primary stage, when data is collected, those data are raw. It is challenging for us to interpret and analyze raw data.

Think of raw data as a picture with a lot of noise in it, and to get rid of that noise, we go through several processes, and among them is classification.

So, classification helps remove unnecessary details from the raw data, making it easier to analyze.

There are four types of classification:

1. Qualitative Classification: It is also known as ordinal classification. Here, the data are categorized under qualitative characteristics such as beauty, honesty, etc.
2. Quantitative Classification: As the name suggests, this is based on characteristics that are quantifiable, such as income, profit, height, etc.
3. Geographical Classification: The data are categorized based on geographical characteristics such as countries, cities, districts, etc.
4. Chronological Classification: The data are categorized based on chronological characteristics such as time, population, sales, etc.

What is Tabulation?

Tabulation of data occurs after the data has gone through classification. After data classification, those data are represented in a tabular form called tables.

Tables are made up of various numbers of rows and columns.

In tables, rows are arranged horizontally, and columns are arranged vertically.

We use the method of tabulation so that we can present data in a more organized way so the interpretation of data can be made more accessible and analysis or comparison of data can be made much more swiftly. 

There are three types of tabulation:

1. Simple Tabulation: It can also be called a One-way tabulation. This happens when the tabulation of data is done based on only one characteristic. For example: Tabulating the data based on only one characteristic like height, weight, religion, etc.
2. Double Tabulation: It is also known as two-way tabulation. This happens when the tabulation of data is done based on two characteristics. For example: Tabulating the based on two characteristics like height and weight etc.
3. Complex Tabulation: When the tabulation of data is done based on two or more characteristics. For example: Tabulating the data on height, weight, age, etc.

Some guidelines need to be followed for us to tabulate data. They are:

1. Each table needs to have a unique number and a title. The title is given to a table to help us understand the data it presents.
2. Each table used for tabulation purposes can be broken down into four fragments. The fragment where the table’s title is inserted can be called Box Head. On the left-hand side of the table, where descriptions of rows are given, it is known as a stub, and the body contains all the other data that are inserted in the table.
3.  The width and length should be in balance with each other to form a table.
4. Present the data in a way it is easier to analyze and more accessible for us to compare. There should also be footnotes that explain where the data initially originated from.

Main Differences Between Classification and Tabulation

1. Classification is the method of organizing data into various groups based on their traits or speciality. Tabulation is where the data are presented in a table, making it easier to understand and analyze.
2. Classification happens when the data has gone through the data collection phase, whereas tabulation happens after the data classification process.
3. Data is classified based on their characteristics, whereas tabulation is where data are presented in tables consisting of rows and columns.
4. Classification is done so that it is easier to analyze the raw data, whereas tabulation is done to present the data.
5. Data are classified into various groups, whereas in tabulation, the data is arranged based on different headings.

References

1. https://homework1.com/statistics-homework-help/types-of-classification/
2. https://www.emathzone.com/tutorials/basic-statistics/tabulation-of-data.html
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2329462/pdf/pubhealthpap00029-0488.pdf