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A chart that displays pairs of values as points to reveal relationships between two variables.
DESCRIPTION
A scatter plot visualizes the joint behavior of two numerical variables by plotting data points in Cartesian coordinates. It is useful for spotting correlation, clusters, nonlinearity, and outliers. Adding regression lines or smoothers reveals trends. Bubble size, color, or faceting can encode additional dimensions. Scatter plots are foundational in exploratory data analysis and model diagnostics.
ALTERNATIVE DEFINITIONS
Tableau
A scatter plot uses dots to represent values for two different numeric variables. The position of each dot on the horizontal and vertical axis indicates values.
Emphasizes axes-based encoding for two numeric variables.
NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods
A scatter plot is a two-dimensional plot of the data points for two variables. It is used to examine the relationship between the variables.
Frames use for relationship examination in EDA.
RELATED TERMS
Correlation Regression Analysis Trend Line Outliers Bubble Chart Residual Plot Pearson Correlation Coefficient Visualization Bivariate Analysis
COMPETING TERMS
KNOWLEDGE AREAS
Data Visualization Data Science
TARGET AUDIENCE
BI Specialist Data Analyst Data Scientist
EXTERNAL SOURCES
- Wikipedia - Scatter plot
- NIST - Handbook guidance on scatter plots
- Tableau - Overview with examples and usage tips
- Data Viz Catalogue - Catalog entry describing scatterplots
TOP QUESTIONS
When should I use a Scatter Plot?
Use it to explore relationships between two numeric variables, identify trends, and spot outliers.
Category: Application
How do I add more dimensions to a Scatter Plot?
Use color, size, shape, or faceting to encode additional variables while maintaining clarity.
Category: Best practices
What common mistakes occur with Scatter Plots?
Overplotting dense data, misleading scales, and interpreting correlation as causation are frequent errors.
Category: Mistakes
How can I handle overplotting in Scatter Plots?
Apply transparency, jitter, hexbinning, or switch to density plots for clarity.
Category: Requirements
How does a Scatter Plot differ from a Line Chart?
Scatter plots show discrete pairs without implied sequence, while line charts emphasize ordered or temporal connections.
Category: Misunderstanding
What is the role of a trend line in a Scatter Plot?
It summarizes the central tendency and direction of the relationship for interpretation.
Category: Overview
Can Scatter Plots show causality?
No. They show association; establishing causality requires experimental design or causal inference methods.
Category: Misunderstanding
What is a Bubble Chart relative to a Scatter Plot?
A bubble chart is a scatter plot variant with point size encoding a third numeric variable.
Category: Example
How do I interpret outliers in a Scatter Plot?
Outliers may indicate anomalies, data quality issues, or rare but important phenomena; investigate before excluding.
Category: Opinion