Interpreting Graphs

Scatterplot

A type of graph where individual datapoints from two continuous variables are plotted to assess whether the variables are correlated in any way.

Bar Chart

x axis contains categorical variables, y axis has values, and has a standard error bar

Histogram

A type of graph where a range of possible values is plotted along the x-axis and the frequency of datapoints in each interval in the range is plotted on the y-axis.

Continuous Variable

a quantity that can take a continuous range of values

Discrete variable

a quantity that can only take certain, discrete values

independent variable

a variable whose value does not depend on the value of another variable. Common examples include the treatment groups in an experimental study or time.

typically seen on the x axis

dependent variable

a measured quantity whose value depends on the value of another variable.

typically seen on the y axis

p value

if p ≤ 0.05, statistical significance can be declared

Mathematical Model

uses equation(s) to. model essential aspects of a biological process

computer simulations

expands the other approaches, and is good for complex/network related processes

nominal data

no intrinsic ordering to the categories; i.e. eye color

ordinal data

categories can be placed in a meaningful order; i.e. pain scale

boxplot

shows median, 1st quartile, 3rd quartile, whiskers (1.5*IQR), outliers