2.2.1 - Graphs: Dotplots and Histograms

Dotplots and histograms are both graphical displays that can be used with one quantitative variable. In both of these plots the horizontal axis represents the values of the variable. The number of dots in a dotplot, or the height of the bars in a histogram, represent the number of cases with each value or range of values. 

Dotplot

Dotplot of Height (inches)

Histogram

Histogram of Height (inches)

MinitabExpress  – Dotplot

To create a dotplot in Minitab Express:

  1. Open the data set:
  2. On a PC or Mac: Select GRAPHS > Dotplot
  3. Select Simple
  4. Double click the variable Verbal SAT (2005) in the box on the left to insert the variable into the Y variable box
  5. Click OK

This should result in the following dotplot:

Dotplot of Verbal SAT (2005)

Video Walkthrough

Select your operating system below to see a step-by-step guide for this example.

MinitabExpress  – Histogram

To create a histogram in Minitab Express:

  1. Open the data set:
  2. On a PC or Mac: Select GRAPHS > Histogram
  3. Select Simple
  4. Double click the variable Verbal SAT(2005) in the box on the left to insert the variable into the Y variable box
  5. Click OK

This should result in the following histogram:

Histogram of Verbal SAT (2005)

Video Walkthrough

Select your operating system below to see a step-by-step guide for this example.