What is a scatter plot?
A scatter plot (aka scatter chart, scatter graph) uses dots to represent values for two different numeric variables. The position of each dot on the horizontal and vertical axis indicates values for an individual data point. Scatter plots
What is a scatter plot?
A scatter plot (aka scatter chart, scatter graph) uses dots to represent values for two different numeric variables. The position of each dot on the horizontal and vertical axis indicates values for an individual data point. Scatter plots are used to observe relationships between variables.
The example scatter plot above shows the diameters and heights for a sample of fictional trees. Each dot represents a single tree; each point’s horizontal position indicates that tree’s diameter (in centimeters) and the vertical position indicates that tree’s height (in meters). From the plot, we can see a generally tight positive correlation between a tree’s diameter and its height. We can also observe an outlier point, a tree that has a much larger diameter than the others. This tree appears fairly short for its girth, which might warrant further investigation.
When you should use a scatter plot
Scatter plots’ primary uses are to observe and show relationships between two numeric variables. The dots in a scatter plot not only report the values of individual data points, but also patterns when the data are taken as a whole.
Identification of correlational relationships are common with scatter plots. In these cases, we want to know, if we were given a particular horizontal value, what a good prediction would be for the vertical value. You will often see the variable on the horizontal axis denoted an independent variable, and the variable on the vertical axis the dependent variable. Relationships between variables can be described in many ways: positive or negative, strong or weak, linear or nonlinear.
A scatter plot can also be useful for identifying other patterns in data. We can divide data points into groups based on how closely sets of points cluster together. Scatter plots can also show if there are any unexpected gaps in the data and if there are any outlier points. This can be useful if we want to segment the data into different parts, like in the development of user personas.
Example of data structure
In order to create a scatter plot, we need to select two columns from a data table, one for each dimension of the plot. Each row of the table will become a single dot in the plot with position according to the column values.
Common issues when using scatter plots
When we have lots of data points to plot, this can run into the issue of overplotting. Overplotting is the case where data points overlap to a degree where we have difficulty seeing relationships between points and variables. It can be difficult to tell how densely-packed data points are when many of them are in a small area.
There are a few common ways to alleviate this issue. One alternative is to sample only a subset of data points: a random selection of points should still give the general idea of the patterns in the full data. We can also change the form of the dots, adding transparency to allow for overlaps to be visible, or reducing point size so that fewer overlaps occur. As a third option, we might even choose a different chart type like the heatmap, where color indicates the number of points in each bin. Heatmaps in this use case are also known as 2-d histograms.
Interpreting correlation as causation
This is not so much an issue with creating a scatter plot as it is an issue with its interpretation. Simply because we observe a relationship between two variables in a scatter plot, it does not mean that changes in one variable are responsible for changes in the other. This gives rise to the common phrase in statistics that correlation does not imply causation. It is possible that the observed relationship is driven by some third variable that affects both of the plotted variables, that the causal link is reversed, or that the pattern is simply coincidental.
For example, it would be wrong to look at city statistics for the amount of green space they have and the number of crimes committed and conclude that one causes the other, this can ignore the fact that larger cities with more people will tend to have more of both, and that they are simply correlated through that and other factors. If a causal link needs to be established, then further analysis to control or account for other potential variables effects needs to be performed, in order to rule out other possible explanations.
Common scatter plot options
Add a trend line
When a scatter plot is used to look at a predictive or correlational relationship between variables, it is common to add a trend line to the plot showing the mathematically best fit to the data. This can provide an additional signal as to how strong the relationship between the two variables is, and if there are any unusual points that are affecting the computation of the trend line.
Categorical third variable
A common modification of the basic scatter plot is the addition of a third variable. Values of the third variable can be encoded by modifying how the points are plotted. For a third variable that indicates ca