Scatter Plots

Definitions  Scatter Plot: A graph in which the values of two variables are plotted along two axes, the pattern of the resulting points revealing any correlation present.  Two-Variable Data (Bivariate Data): Information about two separate characteristics for the same person or thing.

Definitions  Independent Variable: The variable whose value is not determined by another variable. (x-axis)  Dependent Variable: The variable whose value is determined by the independent variable  Linear Association (Correlation): When the points on the scatter plot seem to form a line.

Definitions  Clustered: The data values are arranged in such a way that as you look at the graph from left to right, you can imagine a line going through the scatter plot with most of the points being clustered close to the line.  Positive Association (Correlation): As the independent variable increases, the dependent variable also increases.

Definitions  Negative Association (Correlation): As the independent variable increases, the dependent variable decreases.  No Associations (Correlation): When there doesn’t seem to be a pattern at all  Outlier: A point that varies greatly from the overall pattern of the data.