12.1 Introduction

To answer a RQ, a study is designed to collect data, because data are the means by which the research question is answered. But before analysis, understanding, describing and summarising the collected data is important. This chapter discusses the use of graphs to summarise data. Importantly:

The purpose of a graph is to display the information in the clearest, simplest possible way, to help us understand the data.

Graphs are not produced just for the sake of it; what the graph tells us should always be explained, especially regarding the RQ.