# What are the limitations of graphical displays with a small sample size (n=18)

I have a small sample size (n=18) and am performing univariate analysis. I have graphical displays (stem and leaf plot, dotplots, boxplots and a cumulative distribution plot). I am trying to understand the limitations of the graphical displays for the small data set. Can anyone enlighten me?

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Hi, welcome to the site. If you could make your question more specific I bet it'd draw more helpful answers. For example, do you want to ask how a specific display could be improved? If you're not being allowed by the site to post an image, feel free to email it to me. – rolando2 Jan 18 '13 at 7:39
See this response by whuber for a different question but very useful discussion and references. – Andy W Jan 18 '13 at 12:54
The first three of these plots were specifically invented for pen-and-paper analysis of small datasets of between c. 5 and 200 values. They should be ideal for a batch of 18 values. The CDF can be informative for any size batch from $n=2$ on up, without any practical or theoretical limit. – whuber Jan 18 '13 at 14:21