Practice question · Multiple choice
The same dataset can produce a histogram with one peak or two, depending only on the bin width. What does that imply about reading a histogram?
Hints
- Take bins so wide that everything falls in two. Now take them so narrow each point is alone.
- Ask who chose the bins, and whether the choice was reported.
Show the answer
A. That bin width is an analytic choice which can create or hide structure
Why
Wide bins smooth away a genuine second peak and narrow ones manufacture peaks from noise, so the same data supports both pictures. Rules of thumb exist and none is canonical, which is why an honest histogram comes with its bin width stated, and why a suspicious one never does.
Practise Data Visualisation
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More questions on Data Visualisation
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