a two dimensional plot featuring a box capped by the 1st and 3rd quartiles, spliced by the median line, and with "whiskers" extending to min and max values
alternatively, if outliers are present (1.5 x IQR), the whiskers may span the least and greatest non outlier range, with outliers as individually denoted dots
advantages: distills large data to 5 points, simple check of symmetry, indicates outliers
disadvantages: less distribution resolution within quartiles
