What type of chart is used to visualize data over time?

A run chart is specifically designed to visualize data over time, highlighting trends or patterns. It displays information in a continuous line, connecting data points in chronological order, which allows for easy identification of fluctuations and changes throughout the specified time frame. This type of chart is particularly useful for monitoring processes and understanding how a variable behaves over time, making it an essential tool in fields such as healthcare quality improvement and analysis.

In contrast, a Pareto chart is utilized to identify and prioritize the most significant factors contributing to a problem, typically representing categories in descending order of frequency or impact but not focusing on the passage of time. The Ishikawa diagram, also known as a fishbone diagram, is employed for root cause analysis rather than time-based data visualization. Finally, a histogram depicts the distribution of a dataset across various ranges or intervals but does not illustrate changes over time. Each of these charts serves a distinct purpose in data analysis, but the run chart is uniquely suited for time series data.