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:-

1. Are a simple and effective way to convey information graphically.
2. They highlight facts and help readers understand the most important aspects of the data.
3. They help readers to visualise patterns and relationships in the data, such as changes over time, correlation, and frequency distribution.
4. 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…