Which graph shows associations between co-variables not differences?

Which graph shows associations between co-variables not differences?

• A. Bar Chart
• B. Line graph
• C. Histogram
• D. Scattergram

Answer: (D)

When exploring how two variables relate to each other, you’re looking for a pattern of association or correlation rather than differences between groups. A scattergram does exactly that: each observation is plotted as a point with one variable on the x-axis and the other on the y-axis. The overall pattern tells you about the relationship. If the points tend to rise together, you see a positive relationship; if one tends to rise as the other falls, you see a negative relationship; if there’s no clear pattern, there’s little to no association. You can also spot outliers that don’t fit the general trend. Bar charts show differences between groups, line graphs show changes over time or across ordered conditions, and histograms show the distribution of a single variable. None of those primarily reveal the relationship between two variables like a scattergram does, so this graph is the best choice for illustrating associations between co-variables.

When exploring how two variables relate to each other, you’re looking for a pattern of association or correlation rather than differences between groups. A scattergram does exactly that: each observation is plotted as a point with one variable on the x-axis and the other on the y-axis. The overall pattern tells you about the relationship. If the points tend to rise together, you see a positive relationship; if one tends to rise as the other falls, you see a negative relationship; if there’s no clear pattern, there’s little to no association. You can also spot outliers that don’t fit the general trend.

Bar charts show differences between groups, line graphs show changes over time or across ordered conditions, and histograms show the distribution of a single variable. None of those primarily reveal the relationship between two variables like a scattergram does, so this graph is the best choice for illustrating associations between co-variables.