Statistics interview question: When should one use a box plot instead of a histogram?
Graphics are a very important part of preparing a statistical analysis. It is easier for an analyst to quickly decipher a visual representation than to pour over scores of values.
Graphs are useful in statistical analysis because they can:-
- Are a simple and effective way to convey information graphically.
- They highlight facts and help readers understand the most important aspects of the data.
- They help readers to visualise patterns and relationships in the data, such as changes over time, correlation, and frequency distribution.
- They can be used to support theories in research papers and to compare results with other studies.
One question that may come up in an interview is when should a box plot be used instead of a histogram. Before we can answer this question, it is important to know what a box plot and a histogram are:-
Box plot
In descriptive statistics, a box plot is a method for graphically demonstrating the locality, spread and skewness groups of numerical data through their quartiles. In addition to the box on a box plot, there can be lines (called whiskers) extending from the box indicating variability outside the…