Statistical Standards Program
Table of Contents Introduction 1. Development of Concepts and Methods 2. Planning and Design of Surveys 3. Collection of Data 4. Processing and Editing of Data 5. Analysis of Data / Production of Estimates or Projections 6. Establishment of Review Procedures 7. Dissemination of Data Glossary Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C ·Sample Table ·Introduction ·Major Types of Tables ·Tabular Format ·Table Titles ·Boxheads ·Table Stub ·Body ·Tabular Notes ·Sizing a Table ·Appendix Appendix D Publication information For help viewing PDF files, please click here |
APPENDIX C: NCES GUIDELINES FOR TABULAR PRESENTATIONS (2002 Edition) |
The boxhead consists of the stubhead, column heads, and spanner heads that classify, describe, or qualify the column or columns to which they refer. The heads are placed approximately in the center of areas defined by real or imaginary lines (boxes) directly above the vertical columns of information to which they apply. Parts of the Boxhead Spanner heads, or multicolumn heads, are placed above two or more subordinate column heads to clarify, describe, or shorten the subordinate heads (See also Spanners). A single spanner head may also span two or more subordinate spanner heads, as in this example: In double-page-spread tables, spanners continue from the left-hand to the right-hand page of the pair, with "¾Continued" added following the repeated spanners on the right-hand page. A banner head, which is a special type of spanner head that is rarely needed, extends over all columns except the stub. The best use of a banner head is as a "read-in" line that clarifies data in the columns in relation to the column heads. In the following example, the banner is appropriate to all data columns and identifies the data shown as different from what the single column heads indicate. Wording and Punctuation in the Column Head Sequence of Columns Spacing in the Column Head In these three examples, the column is approximately centered vertically in the area assigned. For minimum spacing, no blank space is left above or below this head; this spacing should only be used in cases where space is at a premium. Each column heading in the body of the table should be placed flush right over the column. Within each set of column headings, each column heading should end on the same line. (See Placing Figures in the Column.) In a ruled table, all of the column-heading boxes on the same level should be the same height, as determined by the column heading with the most typed lines.
Column Numbers or Letters
consonants (e.g., syl- la-bles but en-roll-ments). Never break one-syllable words. Avoid breaking:
Words of four or five letters. Always hyphenate as follows:
Nondegree-credit students (but noncredit courses and activities). Nonscience-related curricula. Nonengineering-related technologies. First-professional degrees. |