Which chart type is best used to show the relationship between two variables?

A Scatter chart, also known as an XY chart, is specifically designed to display the relationship between two numeric variables. It plots data points on a two-dimensional plane, with one variable represented on the horizontal (X) axis and the other on the vertical (Y) axis. The resulting pattern of points helps to identify potential correlations, clusters, and outliers between the two sets of values. This makes it the most suitable chart type for investigating how one variable might influence another.

A. Pie Chart: This chart is used to show the proportion of individual parts to a whole for a single data series, not a relationship between two variables.

C. Line Chart: This chart is best for showing trends or changes in data over a continuous dimension, such as time, not for illustrating the correlation between two distinct variables.

D. Bar Chart: This chart is used to compare values across different discrete categories, rather than showing the relationship between two continuous numerical variables.

1. Microsoft Corporation. (n.d.). Available chart types in Office. Microsoft Support. Retrieved from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/available-chart-types-in-office-a6187218-807e-4103-9e0a-27cdb19afb90.

Section: Scatter and bubble charts: "Scatter charts are commonly used for displaying and comparing numeric values... Use a scatter chart when... You want to show the relationship between two numeric variables."

2. MIT Libraries. (n.d.). Excel: Charts. Data Management Services. Retrieved from https://libguides.mit.edu/excel/charts.

Section: Scatter Plot: "Scatter plots are used to show the relationship between two variables. They are often used to show correlation."

3. University of Washington

eScience Institute. (n.d.). Choosing the Right Chart. Data Science for Social Good. Retrieved from https://escience.washington.edu/using-data-science/tools-and-resources/choosing-the-right-chart/.

Section: Relationship: "Use a scatter plot to show the relationship between two quantitative variables. Good for showing correlation."