Presentation & Display of Data

• Results are presented or displayed using graphs, tables, scattergrams, bar charts, histograms.
• A scattergram is a type of graph that displays the relationship between two variables. It is used to show the correlation or pattern between the variables.
• Tables can be used to display data by organising it into rows and columns, making it easier to compare and analyse different values or categories.
• A histogram is a graphical representation of data that uses bars to show the frequency or count of each data category. It is used to visually display the distribution of data and identify patterns or trends.
• A bar chart is a graphical representation of data using rectangular bars of varying heights. It is used to compare and display categorical data or discrete values.
• A pie chart is a circular chart that is divided into segments, each representing a proportion of the whole. It is used to visually represent data and show the relative sizes of different categories or parts of a whole.
• A bar chart is used to show data for discrete (separate) variables. For example, bar charts are used to plot mean scores for conditions A & B separately.
• A bar chart is a simple and effective way of presenting and comparing data, particularly nominal data. This is because each bar represents a different category of data, and this is denoted by the spaces between them.
• When using bar charts it is important to leave a gap/space between each bar on the graph in order to indicate that the bars represent ‘separate’ data rather than ‘continuous’ data.
• Histograms are mainly used to present frequency distributions of interval data. The horizontal axis is a continuous scale, (e.g. time in seconds). In a histogram, there are no spaces between bars, because the bars are not considered separate categories.
• A line chart or line graph displays information as a series of data points called ‘markers’ connected by straight line segments.
• The purpose of using a line chart to present data is to show the trend or pattern of the data over time.
• A tally chart is used for counting things, normally in observations. They record the number of times something is seen. Behaviour is recorded in separate categories.
• Bar charts can be used to represent the data from tally charts, mean scores or the totals. They are used with nominal or ordinal levels of measurement.
• Histograms should be used to present continuous/interval data such as weight, height and temperature etc. Histograms unlike bar charts also have no gaps between the bars.
• Pie charts are used when we have percentages in categories (nominal data). Each segment represents a percentage of the total.