When comparing boxplots for the similarities or differences between two sets of data, consider the following:
the ranges of the data of the sets
the maximum and minimum values of the two sets
the interquartile ranges of the two sets
are the boxplots skewed in any way relative to one another?
The boxplot below summarises the ages of Oscar winning actors and actresses.
Several observations can be made.
Female winners tend to be younger than male winners. Every age indicator – youngest, oldest, lower quartile, median and upper quartile – is higher for male than for female oscar winners.
The range of ages of female winners, between about, 49-22=27, is less than for male winners, 62-29=33, but the difference is not drastic.
The ages of female winners is more skewed to younger actresses than for male winners.