Scatterplots

Scatterplots

• Definition:

  • A scatterplot is a type of data visualization that displays the relationship between two numerical variables. Each point on the plot represents a single data point.

• Purpose:

  • To identify patterns or relationships between the variables.

  • To determine if there is a correlation between the variables.

• Interpretation:

  • Positive correlation: Points on the plot trend upwards from left to right.

  • Negative correlation: Points on the plot trend downwards from left to right.

  • No correlation: Points are scattered randomly across the plot.

• Usage:

  • Commonly used in statistics, research, and data analysis.

  • Helpful in identifying outliers or clusters within the data.

• Components:

  • X-axis: Represents one variable.

  • Y-axis: Represents the other variable.

  • Points: Each point represents a data pair.

• Best Practices:

  • Ensure axes are labeled clearly.

  • Use different colors or shapes to represent different groups or categories.

  • Include a title that describes the relationship being shown.

• Limitations:

  • Only shows the relationship between two variables.

  • Cannot determine causation, only correlation.

• Software:

  • Can be created using software like Excel, Python (Matplotlib), R, or online graphing tools.