To learn more, they may use a punch in of descriptivestatisticknown as a frequency distribution.

Rather than focusing on individual data point, researchers may track how often each one occurs.

This can provide a quick visual way to understand the data and make it easier to spot patterns.

Tally marks for a frequency distribution

Jeffrey Coolidge / The Image Bank / Getty Images

What Is a Frequency Distribution?

A frequency distribution is commonly used to categorize information so that it can be interpreted in a visual way.

Why Frequency Distributions Are Helpful

Frequency distributions are a helpful way of presenting complex data.

Inpsychology research, a frequency distribution might be utilized to take a closer look at the meaning behind numbers.

For example, imagine that apsychologistwas interested in looking at howtest anxietyimpacted grades.

Next, create a column where you’ve got the option to tally the responses.

Place a line for each instance the number occurs.

Finally, total your tallies and add the final number to a third column.

How Are Frequency Distributions Displayed?

American Psychological Association.Frequency distribution.

Manikandan S.Frequency distribution.J Pharmacol Pharmacother.

New York: Macmillan; 2008.

Cohen BH.Explaining Psychological Statistics.

New York: Wiley; 2013.