Key points at a glance
- Name variables and valid n.
- Choose suitable centre and spread.
- Explain units and missingness.
Build the table around the question
Include variables that clarify the sample or main analysis. Mean and standard deviation or median and quartiles may suit numeric data; categories need counts and proportions. Give valid n per variable when some responses are missing.
Write a useful row
Example: “Weekly study time, n = 42, median = 8 hours, Q1–Q3 = 5–12 hours”. A unit in the heading or variable label prevents ambiguity. For skewed data, median may be more informative than mean alone.
Compare groups carefully
For two groups, show group n and summaries in separate columns. State the population and timeframe in the title. Define abbreviations in a table note. In prose, explain the relevant pattern rather than repeating every number.
Check output and interpretation
Compare table values with software output, rounding and percentage totals. A descriptive difference is neither a significance test nor proof of an effect. Open the final PDF to inspect legibility and table references.
Final submission context
Formal details can feel like a separate writing task, but they matter just as much for a printed submission. Anything missing, misplaced or inconsistently formatted in the document will also appear in the bound copy.
Use this guide together with your cover page, table of contents, page numbers, source notes and appendices. Prepare the final PDF for printing and binding only after the complete file has been checked.
Practical check before PDF export
- Do headings, chapter structure and page numbers match?
- Are sources, figures and tables included completely?
- Are required elements such as declarations, appendices or the cover page included where required?
- Did you open and check the final PDF after exporting it?
Checklist
- Showed valid n.
- Specified units.
- Selected suitable summaries.
- Checked PDF table.
Common mistakes
- Hiding missing values.
- Mixing measures without explanation.
- Giving a causal reading to a descriptive difference.
Prepare the finished thesis for submission
Once the content and university requirements are checked, review your PDF and the available printing and binding options.
Review printing optionsRelated content
Explore related guidance on thesis structure, sources, formatting and final submission.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need both mean and median?
Only when both aid interpretation of the distribution.
Why might n vary?
Variables can have different numbers of valid responses.
Must I repeat every figure in prose?
No, focus on the findings that answer your question.