Exploring Data with
Graphs
Different Types of Data
• Categorical Variables – place each observation into groups and they
are usually summarized by the percentage of observations in each
group.
• Quantitative Variables– take on numerical values. Key features are
the center (average) and spread (variability) of the data. Quantitative
variables can be further split up into:
• Discrete – take only a finite list of possible outcomes, such as a count (0,
1, 2, 3, etc.)
• Continuous – has an infinite list of possible values that form an interval,
even though sometimes we are limited in our ability to measure them
Example
The class list below has all the information for each student in a class at
the end of the semester, including their year in school, major, exam
grades, project grades, number of absences, their average in the class
and their final letter grade in the class.
Student ID# Name Yr Major Ex1 Ex2 Pr1 Pr2 Abs Avg Grade
46895382 Aiken, John 1 Psych 78 82 20 24 2 81.6 B
21657845 Bailey, Kim 2 PolSci 62 74 15 19 10 68.0 D
13695544 Carr, May 2 BusAdm 95 92 25 24 0 94.4 A
Example
Which of the previous variables are:
• Categorical?
• Major
• Grade
Student ID# Name Yr Major Ex1 Ex2 Pr1 Pr2 Abs Avg Grade
46895382 Aiken, John 1 Psych 78 82 20 24 2 81.6 B
21657845 Bailey, Kim 2 PolSci 62 74 15 19 10 68.0 D
13695544 Carr, May 2 BusAdm 95 92 25 24 0 94.4 A
Example
Which of the previous variables are:
• Discrete Quantitative?
• Years in School
• Absences
Student ID# Name Yr Major Ex1 Ex2 Pr1 Pr2 Abs Avg Grade
46895382 Aiken, John 1 Psych 78 82 20 24 2 81.6 B
21657845 Bailey, Kim 2 PolSci 62 74 15 19 10 68.0 D
13695544 Carr, May 2 BusAdm 95 92 25 24 0 94.4 A
Example
Which of the previous variables are:
• Continuous Quantitative?
• Exams
Note that Name and Student ID# are NOT
• Projects
• Average
variables, but student identifiers (subjects).
Student ID# Name Yr Major Ex1 Ex2 Pr1 Pr2 Abs Avg Grade
We could compute the average student ID in
46895382 Aiken, John
class,
1
but what
Psych 78
for?82 20 24 2 81.6 B
21657845 Bailey, Kim 2 PolSci 62 74 15 19 10 68.0 D
13695544 Carr, May 2 BusAdm 95 92 25 24 0 94.4 A
Graphical Summaries of Data
• The type of graph used depends on the type of variable.
• Most graphs are done with a computer, particularly for large data
sets.
Graphs for Categorical Variables:
Bar Charts and Pie Charts
Frequency Proportion Percentage
(Count)
Freshman 3 3/27 11%
enc y
Sophomore 3 elativ3/27
e f req u 11%
alled a r
n is c
Junior Proporti P9roportion = p =9/27
o 33%
Senior 12 12/27 44%
Total 27 1.0 100%
Bar Chart
PH 3200 Class Standing
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
0
Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior
Pie Chart
PH 3200 Class Standing
Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior
11
11
44
33
Graphs for Quantitative Variables: Dotplots,
Stem-and-Leaf Plots, and Histograms
Example: Grades on an exam for a small class:
82, 76, 65, 94, 72, 80, 91, 45, 72, 86, 89
Graphs for Quantitative Variables: Dotplots,
Stem-and-Leaf Plots, and Histograms
Example: Grades on an exam for a small class:
82, 76, 65, 94, 72, 80, 91, 45, 72, 86, 89
Graphs for Quantitative Variables: Dotplots,
Stem-and-Leaf Plots, and Histograms
Example: Grades on an exam for a small class:
82, 76, 65, 94, 72, 80, 91, 45, 72, 86, 89
Graphs for Quantitative
Variables: Dotplots, Stem-and-Leaf
Plots, and Histograms
For this data set, what can you say about:
The center of the distribution?
In the upper 70’s to low 80’s
Graphs for Quantitative
Variables: Dotplots, Stem-and-Leaf
Plots, and Histograms
For this data set, what can you say about:
The spread of the distribution?
From 45 to 94 (or 40’s to 90’s)
Graphs for Quantitative
Variables: Dotplots, Stem-and-Leaf
Plots, and Histograms
For this data set, what can you say about:
• The shape of the distribution?
Roughly bell shaped
Graphs for Quantitative
Variables: Dotplots, Stem-and-Leaf
Plots, and Histograms
For this data set, what can you say about:
• Unusual observations?
45 seems unusually low
HISTOGRAM BAR GRAPH
Frequency distribution Pictorial representation
of continuous variables of data that uses bars
to compare different
categories
Quantitative data Categorical data
Bars touch each other; Bars do not touch each
no gaps between bars other; gaps between
bars.
Width of bars can be Width of the bars the
different same
Cannot rearrange bars Can rearrange bars
