Frequency distribution table concept – UGC NET Question

A frequency distribution table lists categories, class intervals or distinct scores along with the number of observations in each. It condenses large amounts of raw data into a form that reveals patterns such as concentration, spread and gaps. This table is fundamental to many descriptive statistical procedures. Because the stem describes a table that shows each category or score and the number of cases, frequency distribution is the correct term.

Option A:
Contingency tables display the joint frequencies of two or more categorical variables, showing how categories intersect. While they present frequencies, they focus on associations between variables rather than on the distribution of a single variable. Therefore, contingency table is not the exact match for the stem.

Option B:
A frequency distribution allows quick visualisation of how values are spread across the range and can be converted into graphs such as histograms or bar diagrams. It supports computation of measures like mode and median. These functions fit the description in the question, supporting frequency distribution as the appropriate answer.

Option C:
Cross tabulation is another term frequently used for contingency tables involving two or more variables, not for a simple one-variable frequency table. Since the stem mentions categories or scores of a single variable, cross tabulation is not the most suitable completion.

Option D:
Correlation refers to a statistical measure of the relationship between two quantitative variables, typically summarised by a correlation coefficient. It is not a type of table listing frequencies for categories or scores. Hence, correlation is an incorrect option here.