Misrepresenting data by creating “deceptive” graphs is a serious problem. Identify three ways data can be misrepresented when researchers create histograms and explain what researchers should do instead to ensure a proper representation of their data.
What will be an ideal response?
Ans: Varies.
There are numerous ways researchers can misrepresent their data by distorting features of histograms. (1) Researchers can truncate the Y-axis rather than display the entire height of the bars to accentuate the appearance of their findings. In most situations, it is more appropriate to display the full height of the bars. (2) Researchers can change the impression their data provide by using bars of unequal widths; this makes certain values carry more weight than they should. Instead, researcher should use bars of equal widths. (3) Researchers can make the vertical and horizontal axes of different sizes, which can inappropriately highlight differences. Axes should be approximately of the same length. (Also: researchers can use 3-D bars or lines, cross-hatchings and other “chart junk” to obscure their data.)
Learning Objective: 15-3: Inferential
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