Statistical Data not only requires a careful analysis but also an attractive communicative display.

The figures are by

nature uninteresting, dry and complex. The work of the statistician is not only to understand the facts himself but
also to put them down in such a form that their significance may be clear to the common man. In other words, to
achieve these objectives 2 things are required:

1. Graphs
2. Diagrams

IMPORTANCE OF DIAGRAMS:

1. They represent the complex mass of data in such a form that their significance can be very easily followed by
others.
2. Diagrams can stay in one’s memory for a long run as they can be easily remembered.
3. Diagrams make comparisons easy.

KINDS OF DIAGRAMS

1. One Dimensional Diagram:

o Line Diagram
o Simple Bar Diagram
o Multiple Bar Diagram
o Sub-divided Bar Diagram
o Deviation Bar Diagram
2. Two-Dimensional Diagram
o Circle
o Rectangles
3. Pie Chart

LINE DIAGRAM:

Only lines are drawn for the purpose of comparison.

SIMPLE BAR DIAGRAM:

Almost similar to a line diagram but here lines are made thicker to form bars. The breadth of all bars is equal, hence
looks attractive and well proportionate.
MULTIPLE BAR DIAGRAM:

When more than one comparison is to be made, this bar diagram is used.

SUB-DIVIDED BAR DIAGRAM:

Also known as a component bar chart, it serves the same purpose as a multiple-bar diagram. The only difference in
the case of multiple bars is that each part is shown separately but in sub-divided each group is taken as the part of
the whole.

DEVIATION BAR DIAGRAM:

Popularly used for representing net qualities, excess or deficit that is net profit, loss, etc. Such bars have positive and
negative values.

PIE CHART:

The pie chart is used to compare the relation between the whole and its components.

The value (angle value) calculated = value of sub-group/total value × 360 °

LIMITATIONS OF DIAGRAM:

1. Diagrams give only a rough idea of the measurement of the phenomena. It is not possible to get exact
measurements.
2. Diagrams are not capable of further analysis, graphs are more accurate in that case.
3. Diagrams can be best seen in 1, 2 or 3 comparisons, multi-comparisons are unsuccessful.

GRAPHS

These are more accurate and mathematically much more precise. It is used by social researchers as well as
statisticians. These are drawn on special paper called “graph paper”, which contains 2 perpendicular lines called axes.
The vertical line is called the ‘y’ axis and the horizontal line is called the ‘x’ axis. The point of intersection is called
‘point of origin’. There are 3 types of graphs:

1. HISTOGRAM
Drawn to represent the relative frequency size of different groups. These are presented in the form of
rectangles.
The bar represents – the size of class intervals
Height represents – frequency

2. FREQUENCY POLYGON
These display the same aspect of data as histogram. The area of 2 is identical. The only difference between
the two is that the histogram depicts each frequency group separately, whereas the polygon does it
collectively.

3. OGIVE/CUMULATIVE FREQUENCY CURVE

This curve is to show cumulative frequency, rise and fall.
There are 2 types:
1. Less than curve – start with the upper limits of the class and go on adding the frequency, and we get a
rising curve.
2. More than curve – start with the lower limits of the class and go on subtracting the frequency, and we
get a declining curve.