13.6 Compiling tables of numerical summary information
Here are some tips for compiling tables of numerical summary information:
- Round numbers appropriately (don’t necessarily use all decimals provided by software).
- Place captions above tables.
- In general, use no vertical lines and very few horizontal lines.
- Align numbers in the table by decimal point when possible, for easier reading.
- Ensure the table allows readers to easily make the important comparisons.
Example 13.12 (Tables for summarising data) Consider a study (Ejtahed et al. 2012) assessing the effects of probiotic and conventional yoghurt on blood glucose and antioxidant status in Type 2 diabetic patients. A randomised controlled trial (i.e. an experiment) collected data from 60 patients.
Compare the two numerical summary tables in Tables 13.6 and 13.7: Table 13.6 makes comparing the two groups easier, but Table 13.7 is the more conventional orientation (for practical purposes: fewer columns).| Yoghurt | Age\(a\) | Weight (kg)\(a\) | BMI\(a\) (kg/m\(2\)) | Metformin/d\(b\) | Glibenclamide/d\(b\) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional (\(n=30\)) | \(51.0 \pm 7.3\) | \(75.42 \pm 11.28\) | \(29.14 \pm 4.30\) | \(2 \pm 1.25\) | \(1 \pm 1\) |
| Probiotic (\(n=30\)) | \(50.9 \pm 7.7\) | \(76.18 \pm 10.94\) | \(28.95 \pm 3.65\) | \(2 \pm 1.25\) | \(2 \pm 2\) |
| Variable | Conventional yoghurt (\(n=30\)) | Probiotic yoghurt (\(n=30\)) |
|---|---|---|
| Age\(a\) | 51.00 \(\pm\) 7.32 | 50.87 \(\pm\) 7.68 |
| Weight (kg)\(a\) | 75.42 \(\pm\) 11.28 | 76.18 \(\pm\) 10.94 |
| BMI (kg/m2)\(a\) | 29.14 \(\pm\) 4.30 | 28.95 \(\pm\) 3.65 |
| Metformin/d\(b\) | 2 \(\pm\) 1.25 | 2 \(\pm\) 1.25 |
| Glibenclamide/d\(b\) | 1\(\pm\) 1 | 2 \(\pm\) 2 |