ABSTRACT
When researchers are confronted with a bulk of data relating to each of a number of variables, they are faced with the task of summarising the information that has been amassed. If large amounts of data can be summarised, it becomes possible to detect patterns and tendencies that would otherwise be obscured. It is fairly easy to detect a pattern in a variable when, say, we have data on ten cases. But once we go beyond about twenty, it becomes difficult for the eye to catch patterns and trends unless the data are treated in some way. Moreover, when we want to present our collected data to an audience, it would be extremely difficult for readers to take in the relevant information. This chapter is concerned with the various procedures that may be employed to summarise a variable.
