Bar Graph

SHARE THE ARTICLE ON

Bar Graph Bar Graph
Table of Contents

A bar chart or bar graph is a chart or graph that uses rectangular bars with heights or lengths corresponding to the values they represent to convey categorical data. The bars can be plotted either horizontally or vertically. A column chart is another name for a vertical bar chart.

Exploratory Research Guide

Conducting exploratory research seems tricky but an effective guide can help.

What Is Bar Chart?

A bar graph is a graph with rectangular bars that are equivalent to the values they indicate, and the heights of the bars are proportionate to the values they represent. The graph’s bars can be displayed vertically or horizontally. Bar graphs, commonly referred to as bar charts, are a visual representation of categorized data. It’s one of the methods for dealing with data. A bar graph is a useful tool for representing data that is unrelated to one another and does not need to be displayed in any particular sequence. The bars provide a visual representation of amounts in several categories. The horizontal and vertical axes, often known as the x and y-axis, are included in bar graphs, as well as the title, labels, and other information.

History

According to several accounts, Nelvin Ks (1759-1824) developed the bar chart, and the Exports and Imports of Scotland to and from different sections about one day from Christmas 1780 to Christmas 1781 graph from his The Commercial and Political Atlas is the first bar chart in history. Diagrams illustrating the velocity of a perpetually speeding item against time published some 300 years ago in The Latitude of Forms (attributed to Jacobus de Sancto Martino or, maybe, Nicole Oresme) might be understood as “proto bar charts.”

Usage Of Bar Graph

For Comparison Of Summarised Data: A bar chart is often used to draw comparisons of facts that has been accumulated. The category is represented by the horizontal axis of the graph, and the value per category is shown by the vertical axis. Strategically, the bar chart will show a concise depiction of the entire issue being presented.

For Illustration Of Sub-categorised Data: A bar chart is strongly suggested if you wish to explain further and create subcategories. It can display an explanation of both the primary categorization and its sub-topic, which can support the main one. It usually features a Key Legend that highlights the difference between the primary category and its sub-classification.

For Displaying The Difference Between Subcategories Of Data: It is useful fordistinguishing one subcategory from another. The best approach for this is to create a bar graph. For example, if you want to create a summary comparison of your company’s revenue over the previous three years, this graph is highly suggested. By stacking bars from the same category on top of each other, you may accentuate the distinction of all the elements you wish to stress. 

For A Quick Description Of Data: You may have a lengthy explanation of your primary categories at times. Then you may use a double horizontal bar graph to help you. In the horizontal axis, you can see two primary difficulties. You can get out the specific info that can explain itself with the help of your Key Legend.

For Time-based Collection: A bar graph is an excellent choice for a time sequential data collecting. On the X-axis, you may enter the year, month, or day that you want to describe as your principal categorization, and on the Y-axis, you can enter the matching subsection that can support the Data.

For Comparing Two Main Categories Of Data: When comparing two separate basic categories, a bar chart is the most efficient method of data input. It can accommodate two primary classes in the vertical axis and a subtype on the horizontal axis. The chart can highlight more of the information that you wish to discuss.

It Can Display The Results Of The Survey: A bar chart can be used to create survey results on paper. Because a bar graph allows you to enter a large number of distinct major categories on the horizontal axis while justifying them with subclasses in the vertical axis. A Key Legend is also included to help you understand your vertical axis. 

It Displays Mean, Median And Modal Class Of The Data: When dealing with duration statistics, element definition, and dispersion regularity, a bar graph is the best choice. On the horizontal axis, list all of your primary themes with a comprehensive explanation, and on the vertical axis, list the subcategories. In this method, you may paint a clear picture of the issue that you want your audience to understand in a concise manner.

Types Of Bar Chart

The two possible types of bar chart are horizontal and vertical. The length or height of a bar graph is its most distinguishing attribute. If the bar graph is longer, the values are more than any given data.

Normally, bar graphs display category and numerical data grouped in class intervals. They are made up of an axis and a succession of horizontal or vertical bars that are labelled. The bars show the frequencies of various values of a variable or, in most cases, the unique values themselves. The scale is the number of variables on the x-axis of a bar graph or the y-axis of a column graph.

The following are the many types of bar charts:

  • Vertical bar graph
  • Horizontal bar graph

Although the graph can be produced horizontally or vertically, the vertical bar graph is the most commonly used variant. The x-axis and y-axis orientations vary based on the kind of vertical and horizontal bar chart. Aside from the vertical and horizontal bar graphs, there are two types of bar charts:

  • Stacked Bar Graph
  • Segmented Bar Graph
  • Grouped Bar Graph

See Voxco survey software in action with a Free demo.

Vertical Bar Chart

A vertical bar graph, often known as a column graph, is the most frequent style of bar chart. It uses vertical bars whose lengths are proportionate to the numbers they represent to display the numerical value of study variables.

Vertical Stacked Bar Chart: A vertical stacked bar chart is a form of bar graph that employs vertical bars to compare individual data variables. This statistical tool stacks data categories such that each bar displays the total number of subcategories in a data collection.

Grouped Vertical Bar Chart: A clustered vertical bar chart, also defined as a cluster chart, displays data from several subcategories of a data collection. It may be used to illustrate numerous sub-groups of each category, but if there is too much information on the chart, it can become difficult and complex to read and comprehend.

Segmented Vertical Bar Chart: A vertically segmented bar graph contrasts two groups in a data collection. The entire bar reflects all of the data inside a single category. Then, for the second category, each bar is divided into sections (segments) that represent the proportion of each part.

Horizontal Bar Chart

A horizontal bar chart is a form of bar graph that uses proportionate horizontal bars to display data variables. The data categories are plotted on the graph’s vertical axis, while the numerical value is plotted on the graph’s horizontal axis.

Horizontal bar charts are frequently used to depict nominal variable comparisons. You may use this tool to show lengthy labelling using horizontal rectangles while still leaving adequate area for textual content.

Horizontal Stacked Bar Chart: A horizontal stacked bar chart is a graphical alteration used to segment data. Each horizontal bar in the graph typically represents a data category, which is further subdivided into subcategories using different colors within the same bar.This sort of bar graph is excellent for displaying the various segments that comprise a data variable. It assists you in determining which subcategory provides the most to a data variable.

Horizontal Grouped Bar Chart: A horizontal grouped bar chart is a type of bar graph in which numerous data categories are compared and a specific color is used to symbolize a defined series across all data categories displayed. A clustered bar graph or a multi-set bar chart are other names for it. A horizontal grouped bar chart, in simple terms, employs horizontal bars to show and compare distinct data categories from two or more groups. The data categories are arranged side by side to make it simple to detect and evaluate changes within the same group across data sets.

A horizontal grouped bar chart is also used to evaluate market performance and compare financial data.

Segmented Horizontal Bar Chart: A stacked bar chart with segmented horizontal bar charts is one sort of stacked bar chart. It is also known as a 100% stacked bar graph because each horizon bar indicates 100% of the individual data value and all of the bars are the same length, but numerical variances are displayed in percentages.

A reverse horizontal bar chart and a basic horizontal bar chart are two more forms of horizontal bar charts.

Advantages Of Bar Chart

  • Display a frequency distribution for each data type.
  • Show the relative numbers or percentage of certain categories.
  • Summarize a big quantity of data in a visual, easy-to-understand format.
  • Make trends more visible than tables do; this aids in the study of patterns over a lengthy period of time.
  • It is employed in the comparison of data sets. The most generally used way of data representation is data sets that are independent of one another. As a result, it is employed in a variety of sectors.
  • Estimates may be generated rapidly and precisely.
  •  Allow for visible guidance on computation correctness and reasonableness.
  •  A large audience can readily examine two or three data sets.

Disadvantages Of Bar Chart

  • frequently need extra explanation
  • Key assumptions, causes, consequences, and patterns that are not exposed can be readily changed to create misleading perceptions.
  • do not demonstrate the interdependence of activities
  • Without the relationships between activities, project management becomes impossible.
  • It is hard to assess the influence of unanticipated occurrences on the remainder of the building process.
  • only utilize discrete data

Read more