Investigate Distributions with Graphs

Part 1

1. Explain the difference between a categorical variable and a quantitative variable

The difference between a categorical variable and a quantitative variable is that the latter is one that fluctuates and changes in amount whereas a categorical variable is one that changes in kind. Basically, variables that are categorical have dissimilar values or categories and there is no distinctive ordering to these categories along a primary measurement. The inference of this is that the categories are simply labels that distinguish one group from another. In contrast, variables that are quantitative are those in which individuals are apportioned numerical values to position them into dissimilar categories. Moreover, these numerical values are meaningful in the sense that they imply more or less of a fundamental measurement that is theoretical interest (Jaccard and Jacoby, 2010). For instance, categorical variables would consist of gender and college major. On the other hand, quantitative variables consist of speed of response as well as loudness (White and McBurney, 2012).

2. Explain what is meant by the term distribution of a variable

The distribution of a variable is a delineation of the relative numbers of times every possible outcome will take place in a number of trials.

3. Determine the difference between a pie chart, a bar chart, and a histogram

A bar chart consists of columns that are plotted on a graph. The columns within the chart are placed over a label that signifies a categorical variable. The height of the column is indicative of the size of the group that is being defined by the column label. Notably, bar charts should be utilized when displaying quantities that are either not necessarily associated or show change in the course of time. For instance, a bar chart is used to show the revenues generated by a firm over the past umber of years. Secondly, similar to a bra graph, a histogram consists of columns that are plotted on a graph. However, with respect to its display, a histogram is different from a bar graph in the sense that it does not have any space in between the columns. Moreover, another difference is that the columns are placed over a label that signifies a continuous numerical variable. the height of the column is indicative of the size of the group that is being defined by the column label. Lastly, pie charts can be delineated as circles that are fragmented into different portions on the basis of the percentage of every category. Pie charts signify percentages of a whole and ought to be used when the data displays how dissimilar categories relate to the whole at a certain point in time. For instance, a pie chart can be used to demonstrate expense categories in relation to the total expenses incurred by a company (Hair, 2015).

4. List different properties one can use when describing the shape of distribution

There are different properties that can be used when delineating the shape of distribution. To begin with, distribution of data can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical. On one hand, with respect to symmetrical distribution, the two sides are a reflection of one another. An example of symmetrical distribution is the normal distribution where the columns create a shape that resembles a symmetrical bell shape. On the other hand, with regard to asymmetrical distribution, the two sides do not resemble one another. A distribution can be positively skewed and this means that the right-side tail is longer in comparison to the left side tail. In contrast, it is negatively skewed when the left side tail is longer in comparison to the right-side tail. Other properties of distributions consist of uni-modal, bi-modal and multimodal distributions. To begin with, a distribution that is deemed to be uni-modal only has one peak in the...…a key policy priority has increased from 44 percent to 62 percent. In the same light, the percentage of Americans claiming that enhancing the transportation system in the United States and dealing with drug addiction among the public to be top priorities has increased from 36 percent to 49 percent (Pew Research Center, 2018). The article basically delineates the change in the perspective of the Americans as to what the government administration ought to consider to be important and act on immediately.

ii. Describe how the data is presented. Explain the type of graph that is used and the specific information that is illustrated by the graph

The data is well presented and illustrated within the article. The data is presented by showing the change in public views of economic issues as a key matter over the years. In addition, the data has been presented in terms of the different social, political and financial issues being faced by the American society and the percentage of the significance for the prevailing government administration. The data is further categorized into the perspectives of the democrats and also the perspectives of the republicans. The article makes use of different graphs to present and illustrate the data. To begin with, there is a time series plot that is used to show the change over the years between 2010 and 2018 with regard to the declining trend in public views of economic issues that are deemed as top priority. Secondly, a bar chart is used to illustrate the publics policy priorities for the 2018 financial year with regard to the implementation by President Trump and Congress. A time series chart is also used to illustrate the changing partisan views of economic issues amongst the democratic and republican people. In addition, it considers the trend of the different political administrations including the Bush, Obama and Trump regimes (Pew Research Centre, 2018).