Description of continuous data using bar graphs: a misleading approach.

INTRODUCTION With the ease provided by current computational programs, medical and scientific journals use bar graphs to describe continuous data. METHODS This manuscript discusses the inadequacy of bars graphs to present continuous data. RESULTS Simulated data show that box plots and dot plots are more-feasible tools to describe continuous data. CONCLUSIONS These plots are preferred to represent continuous variables since they effectively describe the range, shape, and variability of observations and clearly identify outliers. By contrast, bar graphs address only measures of central tendency. Bar graphs should be used only to describe qualitative data.