When comparing the boxplots of two groups, which of the following should be done?

• A. Ignore the presence of outliers when interpreting the boxplots.
• B. Always use different axis scales for each boxplot to highlight differences.
• C. Ensure that both boxplots are drawn using the same scale on the axis to allow for accurate comparison.
• D. Focus only on the medians and disregard the spread of the data.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that boxplots visually summarize data distributions by showing the median, quartiles, and potential outliers.
2. Recognize that to compare two groups accurately using boxplots, the scale of the axis must be consistent; otherwise, differences may be misleading.
3. Note that ignoring outliers or focusing only on medians can lead to incomplete interpretations because spread and outliers provide important information about variability and data distribution.
4. Avoid using different axis scales for each boxplot, as this distorts the visual comparison between groups.
5. Therefore, always ensure both boxplots use the same axis scale to make a fair and accurate comparison of their distributions.