Why is the open ended frequency distribution necessary
The open-ended frequency distribution is necessary in situations where the data set has a wide range of values and cannot be easily grouped into intervals. It allows for a more detailed and accurate representation of the data, especially when dealing with continuous variables.
To create an open-ended frequency distribution, follow these steps:
1. Start by sorting the data set in ascending order.
2. Find the minimum and maximum values in the data set.
3. Determine an appropriate class width. This is the range covered by each interval in the frequency distribution. It should be chosen in a way that allows for a sufficient number of intervals without losing too much detail. A commonly used formula to calculate the class width is (max value - min value) / square root of total number of observations.
4. Calculate the number of intervals by dividing the range (max value - min value) by the class width, rounding up to the nearest whole number.
5. Decide on the starting point for the first interval. It should be chosen in a way that includes the minimum value and is easily understood by the audience.
6. Use the class width and chosen starting point to create the intervals for the frequency distribution.
7. Count the frequency or number of occurrences of each value within each interval.
8. Tabulate the intervals and their corresponding frequencies in a table called a frequency distribution.
By following these steps, you can create an open-ended frequency distribution that accurately represents the data set.