UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

A histogram is a graph that displays the frequency distribution of continuous data using adjoining rectangular bars whose widths correspond to class intervals and whose heights represent frequencies. Because the bars touch, the histogram conveys the idea of continuity in the data. It is widely used to visualise the shape of distributions, such as skewness or modality. Since the stem describes continuous data grouped in class intervals shown as adjacent bars without gaps, histogram is the correct answer.

Option A:
A bar diagram typically represents categorical data with separate bars that have spaces between them, emphasising distinct categories rather than continuity. The presence of gaps distinguishes it from a histogram. Therefore, bar diagram does not match the description provided in the question.

Option B:
An ogive is a cumulative frequency curve that shows how many observations fall below each boundary, helping identify medians and percentiles. It is drawn as a line graph rather than adjoining bars. Hence, ogive is not the appropriate completion for the stem.

Option C:
A frequency polygon depicts frequencies by plotting midpoints of class intervals and joining them with straight lines, forming a polygonal shape. While it also represents grouped data, it does not use adjacent bars and so differs from the graph described in the stem. Consequently, frequency polygon is not the right answer.

Option D:
Histograms allow researchers to quickly see whether data approximate a normal distribution, exhibit skewness or contain outliers. Their defining feature is the touching bars for continuous intervals, exactly as stated in the stem, confirming histogram as the correct term.