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A peer reviewer argues that all frequency charts showing vertical bars should have small gaps between the bars to make them easier to read, regardless of whether the variable is quantitative or categorical. Evaluate the validity of this peer reviewer's argument based on standard graphing conventions in psychological research.
Question: A peer reviewer argues that all frequency charts showing vertical bars should have small gaps between the bars to make them easier to read, regardless of whether the variable is quantitative or categorical. Evaluate the validity of this peer reviewer's argument based on standard graphing conventions in psychological research.
Sample answer: The peer reviewer's argument is invalid because it violates standard graphing conventions. Eliminating the distinction in bar spacing removes crucial visual information; adjacent bars are necessary for quantitative variables to represent continuous distribution, whereas gaps are required for categorical variables to signal discrete, non-overlapping categories.
Key points:
- Evaluate the argument as invalid or incorrect.
- State that bar spacing conventions carry specific meaning about the variable type.
- Explain that adjacent bars are used for quantitative variables and gaps for categorical variables.
Rubric: Answers must evaluate the peer reviewer's claim as invalid or incorrect, explaining that bar spacing carries functional meaning. It should state that adjacent bars represent quantitative/continuous variables and gaps represent categorical/discrete variables, so merging the conventions reduces graphical clarity and meaning.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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