Graphical analysis is nearly always the first step in exploring data.
Graphical analysis helps to identify potential errors in data and differences
among group means and variances. Furthermore, the use of graphical methods helps
to identify the distribution of the data and whether multiple populations or
processes exist within the dataset.
Often, the mathematics or statistics supporting an analysis can overwhelm
decision-makers. Translating statistical results into graphics can help
decision-makers grasp the essential messages in the data.
Graphical methods serve as key communication tools, but they can be dangerous
and misleading when the underlying data is not understood.