Descriptive Statistics - Describing Data with Tables and Graphs

6 important questions on Descriptive Statistics - Describing Data with Tables and Graphs

How do we describe categorical data

We list the categories and show the number of observations in each category. We also report proportions or percentages in the categories.

What does a frequency distribution list?

A frequency distribution is a listing of possible values for a variable, together with the number of observations at each value. When it shows the proportions or percentages instead of the numbers, it is called a relative frequency distribution.

What does it mean if values in frequency distributions are mutually exclusive?

The intervals of values in frequency distributions should include all possible values of the variable. In addition, any possible value must fit into only one interval.
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What is the difference between a histogram and a bar chart?

A histogram shows the frequency distribution for a quantitative variable. In case of a discrete variable, this is shown in a separate bar for each value. In the case of a continuous variable, the values are divided into intervals.
A bar chart shows the frequency distribution for a categorical variable. To show this, the bars are separated.



What does a stem-and-leaf plot represent?


A stem-and-leaf plot represents each observation by its leading digit(s), called the stem, and by its final digit, called the leaf. It conveys information similar to a histogram, but it shows each observation.

What different shapes can a distribution take on?

A distribution can either be U-shaped, meaning that the largest frequencies are at the lowest and highest scores. Or distribution can be Bell-shaped, meaning that most subjects fall in the middle.
The tails of a distribution aren't always symmetric. They can be skewed to the left or right.

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