Scientists use graphical and statisticsCollection and interpretation of data. methods to analyse patterns of data related to disease.
Drawing bar charts
Data are often displayed in a graph or chart. These might display trends that are not as clear when just looking at data in a table.
Bar charts show data collected for separate groups. The height of the bar is proportional to the measured number or frequencyThe total number of times an event occurs..
This table of data and bar chart show the number of deaths that could be avoided in England in 2023 from different causes.
Cause of death
Number of deaths that could be avoided,
rate per 100,000 of population
Cancer
74.9
Cardiovascular disease
66.1
Alcohol and drug-related
27.3
Infectious diseases
4.2
Injury
18.3
Respiratory disease
30.1
Other
17
Cause of death
Cancer
Number of deaths that could be avoided,
rate per 100,000 of population
74.9
Cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Number of deaths that could be avoided,
rate per 100,000 of population
66.1
Cause of death
Alcohol and drug-related
Number of deaths that could be avoided,
rate per 100,000 of population
27.3
Cause of death
Infectious diseases
Number of deaths that could be avoided,
rate per 100,000 of population
4.2
Cause of death
Injury
Number of deaths that could be avoided,
rate per 100,000 of population
18.3
Cause of death
Respiratory disease
Number of deaths that could be avoided,
rate per 100,000 of population
30.1
Cause of death
Other
Number of deaths that could be avoided,
rate per 100,000 of population
17
Figure caption,
A bar chart illustrating avoidable deaths in England and Wales. Source: Office for National Statistics
Question
Use the information in the bar chart to find out the number of deaths that could be avoided resulting from causes other than those in the table.
Seventeen per 100 000 of population.
Note that bar charts are sometimes displayed horizontally.
Histograms
histogram A graphical representation of the distribution of numerical data. look similar to bar charts, but show how frequently data occur within certain ranges.
The independent variableThe variable that is changed, to investigate its effect on the dependent variable in an experiment. is therefore continuous and is divided into sub-sections or classes.
This histogram shows data from a Scottish study of the proportion of people of different ages with depression who consult their doctor. The independent variable here is age, but the histogram shows different groups within the variable of range allowing the data to be visually comparable.
Figure caption,
Source: The Information Services Division Scotland (NHS Scotland)