Interpreting distributions from histograms
The shape of a histogram can tell us some key points about the distribution of the data used to create it. It can tell us the relationship between the mean and the median, and also allow us to describe the dispersion of the data.
The mean and median of the data are roughly the same and are approximately at the centre of the data. The rest of the data is evenly dispersed on either side of the mean.
Skewed histograms
Positive skewed histograms
A positive skewed histogram suggests the mean is greater than the median. More of the data is towards the left-hand side of the distribution, with a few large values to the right.
Negative skewed histograms
A negative skewed histogram suggests the mean is less than the median. More of the data is towards the right-hand side of the distribution, with a few small values to the left.