Definition
A visual representation of data that uses bars of varying lengths to compare the performance of a participant or group of participants across different conditions or time periods. Each bar’s length represents the value of a dependent variable, allowing for an easy comparison of results.
Example
A teacher implementing a group reinforcement system in her classroom might use a bar graph to compare the performance of different student groups. For instance, the teacher could divide the class into three groups: Group A, Group B, and Group C. Each group earns points based on their collective on-task behavior throughout the week. The bar graph would have three bars—one for each group. The height of each bar represents the total points earned by that group over the week. This allows the teacher and students to easily compare which group demonstrated the most on-task behavior and can highlight improvements in group performance across weeks.