Project 1: Constructing Tables 1 and 3

Caution: The following tables only provide suggestions on how to construct your own tables. Your numbers will be different from the ones cited here. Use your own numbers. Also use labels and table titles that express completely the data presented. Think about what you are doing!

Tables 1 and 3 (Table 2)

include all the regions of the world (a country is NOT a region!)
create as many regions as appropriate for your data. For example, if you have no items from Africa, then list it as one region. If you have things from China and South Korea (East Asia) but not from India (South Asia), you must divide Asia into at least two regions! Remember that you might need more regions when you use the U.S. import data. Don't worry about having many regions with only zeros.
use consistent classifications: don't use Pacific Rim (includes all countries in Asia, North America, and Latin America touching the Pacific Ocean!) when you only mean East Asia.
group your stuff into major categories, not too many but not too few either.
include both the absolute numbers and the percentages in each column. Understand the difference between absolute vs. relative values.
merge appropriate cells, center text in cells, use appropriate lines around cells. Table and graph design matters as much as editing your words! Get help from PALS or see your instructor.
indicate the source of the data at bottom of each table.

Table 1 -- Number and Percent of My Personal Stuff by World Regions

World Regions	Clothing		Etc.		Total
World Regions	#	%	#	%	#	%
North America	10	21.7 (10/46*100)
Central America	2
South America	0
Etc.
total	46	100		100	194	100

Table 3 -- My Personal Imported Stuff and USA Imports by World Regions


World Regions	My Imported Stuff		USA Imports
World Regions	#	%	$ (in millions)	%
Canada	5	.03 (5/150*100)
Central America	2	.01
South America	0	0
Etc.
total	150	100		100

In this table you need to aggregate the US import data as best you can. Data rarely come in the form best suited for your particular analysis. Compare the percentages of your imported stuff with US imports by each region; the absolute numbers of your stuff and the billions of US imports can not be compared! Don't include the calculations shown in red! Why is Canada in red?

Map design: Include all categories on one map. For each category of items, you will have a range of numbers.
1) Divide these into low, medium, and high; and assign a different size of the same symbol to each numeric category. For example, a small dot might represent 1-2 shirts, a medium-sized dot, 3-5 shirts; and a large dot, 6 and more.
2) Place each symbol directly on the country from which your stuff originated. For small countries, place the symbol(s) in the adjacent ocean and draw a line to the country.
3) Consult Goode's Atlas for ideas on good map design.
Good luck on your project!

Created by Ingolf Vogeler on 5 June 1996; last revised on 04 October 2007.