Scatter Plot in Examples in Excel

Scatter Plot Examples

Scatter plots are used to evaluate the correlation or cause-effect relationship (if any) between two variables. There are three primary scatter plot examples:

• strong positive correlation- data points are tightly clustered along a trend line with an upward slope (as one variable increases so does the other).
• strong negative correlation - data points are tightly clustered along a trend line with a downward slope (as one variable increases the other variable decreases).
• no correlation - data points look like a shotgun blast.

Scatter Plot Example of Calories Consumed with Weight Gained - positive correlation

Scatter Plot Example - strong negative correlation

Scatter Plot Example of Staffing Vacanies with Patient Falls - little or no correlation

If the R² correlation of determination (square of the correlation coefficient) is greater than 0.8, then 80% of the variability in the data is accounted for by the equation. Most statistics books imply that this means that you have a strong correlation.

• Scatter Plot in Excel
• How to Make a Scatter Plot
• Scatter Plot Matrix
• Watch video showing how to create a Scatter Plot in Excel using the QI Macros

The Scatter Plot with correlation metrics is just one of the tools included in the QI Macros for Excel SPC Software.

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