It goes without saying that people who deal with substantial amounts of information should assess the ways of its systematization and representation to be beneficial. One of the mediums used for data analysis is a histogram chart or a histogram. Almost every person sees a histogram at least once in a lifetime, even without knowing this term, and individuals who work with statistically important data use histograms on a daily basis. Today, I would like to present this tool, describe it, and define its main components and purposes.
A histogram may be defined as a graphical representation of data points’ grouped frequency distribution within a framework of one variable. It is applied to numerical data and represented as a diagram with two-dimensional rectangle blocks that touch each other. The areas of these blocks are proportional to a variable frequency while their widths align with the class interval (“Advantages and disadvantages of histogram,” n.d.). The parts of a histogram include the X-axis, Y-axis, and bars. The X-axis refers to the class intervals where the measurement falls, the Y-axis demonstrates the frequency of values that occur within intervals, and the bars show data value. The classic example of a histogram is represented in Picture 1.
Histograms are used predominantly in statistics for the analysis of sample data’s distribution when only one variable exists. They help visualize variability, identify multimodal distribution, and detect data abnormalities reflected in outliers or data points that appear as isolated bars. In various spheres of human activity, histograms provide a broader perspective and may initiate the analysis of the current situation or its improvement in the future on the basis of past experience.
For example, through the creation of a histogram with the frequency of purchases and the class interval of age that shows the range of age groups in comparison with the number of purchases, marketers receive an opportunity to understand the customers of which age group makes purchases more frequently. In this case, a histogram may help develop more efficient entertainment strategies in order to address the target audience and contribute to the business’s growth and development in the future. Similarly, a histogram may help an American football team, such as the Cleveland Browns, improve its performance. For example, it may reflect the number of scores made during every season to identify the most successful one. Subsequently, this season may be analyzed in order to define the potential factors of success that should be considered for future success.
Histograms may be used to define how events change during a particular period of time. For instance, in a police department, the number of rapes in a specific area may be formed in a histogram that will show at what hours crimes are at the peak. This will allow officers to strengthen surveillance and be ready for immediate response. In addition, histograms may be applied to the evaluation of the results of particular actions. For example, the use of histograms may provide insight into how efficient innovations are and whether related changes are positive or negative.
To conclude, histograms may be defined as a graphical representation of data frequency. Hearing this definition, the majority of people think about the most complex aspects of statistics. At the same time, a histogram is a highly beneficial tool that may be used by almost anyone who wants to perceive data tendencies in different spheres of human activities. Histograms may be simple, but they may demonstrate the frequencies of events, allowing us to make analyses on their basis.
Reference
Advantages and disadvantages of histogram. (n.d.). Web.