A density plot shows the distribution of a continuous variable as a smooth curve. Instead of using histogram bins, it estimates a probability density function, often with kernel density estimation.
Purpose
Density plots are useful for comparing distribution shapes, including peaks, spread, skewness, and overlap between groups.
Design Notes
- Choose bandwidth carefully.
- Explain that the curve is an estimate.
- Use transparency when comparing multiple groups.
- Consider histograms when raw counts are important.
Summary
Density plots provide a smooth view of distribution. They are useful for comparison, but their appearance depends on the estimation method and bandwidth.
