What is a Scatter Diagram (Correlation Chart)?

If you ask me which tool, out of the seven basic tools of quality, appears most
difficult to understand, my answer would be the scatter diagram.

Did you notice that I asked, “Which tool appears most difficult”?

I did not ask which tool is difficult to understand, difficult to draw, or difficult to
interpret.

Other charts use lines or bars to show findings, while a scatter diagram uses only
dots. This is why this graph looks a bit different. However, this chart is just as
easy to understand as line and bar charts.

I hope, after reading this blog post, you will not face any problems in
understanding the scatter diagram.

Okay, let’s get started.

Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)

Scatter Diagram
The scatter diagram is known by many names, such as scatter plot, scatter
graph, and correlation chart. This diagram is drawn with two variables, usually
the first variable is independent and the second variable is dependent on the first
variable.

The scatter diagram is used to find the correlation between these two variables.
This diagram helps you determine how closely the two variables are related.
After determining the correlation between the variables, you can then predict the
behavior of the dependent variable based on the measure of the independent
variable. This chart is very useful when one variable is easy to measure and the
other is not.

Example

You are analyzing the pattern of accidents on a highway. You select the two
variables: motor speed and number of accidents, and draw the diagram.

Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)

Once the diagram is completed, you notice that as the speed of vehicle
increases, the number of accidents also goes up. This shows that there is a
relationship between the speed of vehicles and accidents happening on the
highway.

According to the PMBOK Guide 5th edition, the scatter diagram is, “A correlation
chart that uses a regression line to explain or to predict how the change in an
independent variable will change a dependent variable.”

The PMBOK Guide states that scatter diagram helps you see the changes in the
dependent variable if you make any change to the independent variable. Since
this diagram shows you the correlation between the variables, it is also known as
a correlation chart.

Usually the independent variable is plotted along the horizontal axis (x-axis) and
the dependent variable is plotted on the vertical axis (y-axis). The independent
variable is also known as the control parameter because it influences the
behavior of the dependent variable.

It is not necessary for one parameter to be a controlling parameter. You can draw
the scatter diagram with both variables independent to each other. In this case
you can draw any variable on any axis.

Type of Scatter Diagram

The scatter diagram can be categorized into several types; however, I will
discuss the two types that will cover most scatter diagrams used in project
management. The first type is based on the type of correlation, and the second
type is based on the slope of trend.

I am giving you two types because it will show you the same chart with two
different perspectives, this will help you build a solid understanding regarding the
scatter diagram.

According to the type of correlation, scatter diagrams can be divided into

following categories:

• Scatter Diagram with No Correlation

• Scatter Diagram with Moderate Correlation
• Scatter Diagram with Strong Correlation

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Scatter Diagram with No Correlation
This type of diagram is also known as “Scatter Diagram with Zero Degree of
Correlation”.

In this type of scatter diagram, data points are spread so randomly that you
cannot draw any line through them.

In this case you can say that there is no relation between these two variables.

Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)

Scatter Diagram with Moderate Correlation
This type of diagram is also known as “Scatter Diagram with Low Degree of
Correlation”.

Here, the data points are little closer together and you can feel that some kind of
relation exists between these two variables.

Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)

Scatter Diagram with Strong Correlation
This type of diagram is also known as “Scatter Diagram with High Degree of
Correlation”.

In this diagram, data points are grouped very close to each other such that you
can draw a line by following their pattern.

In this case you will say that the variables are closely related to each other.

As discussed earlier, you can also divide the scatter diagram according to the
slope, or trend, of the data points:

• Scatter Diagram with Strong Positive Correlation

• Scatter Diagram with Weak Positive Correlation
• Scatter Diagram with Strong Negative Correlation
• Scatter Diagram with Weak Negative Correlation
• Scatter Diagram with Weakest (or no) Correlation
Strong positive correlation means there is a clearly visible upward trend from left
to right; a strong negative correlation means there is a clearly visible downward

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trend from left to right. A weak correlation means the trend, up of down, is less
clear. A flat line from left to right is the weakest correlation, as it is neither
positive nor negative and indicates the independent variable does not affect the
dependent variable.

Scatter Diagram with Strong Positive Correlation

This type of diagram is also known as Scatter Diagram with Positive Slant.

In positive slant, the correlation will be positive, i.e. as the value of x increases,
the value of y will also increase. You can say that the slope of straight line drawn
along the data points will go up. The pattern will resemble the straight line.

For example, if the temperature goes up, cold drink sales will also go up.

Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)

Scatter Diagram with Weak Positive Correlation

Here as the value of x increases the value of y will also tend to increase, but the
pattern will not closely resemble a straight line.

Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)

Scatter Diagram with Strong Negative Correlation

This type of diagram is also known as Scatter Diagram with Negative Slant.

In negative slant, the correlation will be negative, i.e. as the value of x increases,
the value of y will decrease. The slope of a straight line drawn along the data
points will go down.

For example, if the temperature goes up, sales of winter coats goes down.

Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)

Scatter Diagram with Weak Negative Correlation

Here as the value of x increases the value of y will tend to decrease, but the
pattern will not be as well defined.

Scatter Diagram with no Correlation

In this type of chart, you are not able to see any kind of relationship between the
two variables. It might just be a series of points with no visible trend, or it might
simply be a straight, flat row of points. In either case, the independent variable
has no effect on the second variable (it is not dependent).

Limitations of a Scatter Diagram

The following are a few limitations of a scatter diagram:

• Scatter diagrams are unable to give you the exact extent of correlation.
• Scatter diagram does not show you the quantitative measure of the
relationship between the variable. It only shows the quantitative expression of
the quantitative change.
• This chart does not show you the relationship for more than two variables.

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Benefits of a Scatter Diagram
The following are a few advantages of a scatter diagram:

• It shows the relationship between two variables.

• It is the best method to show you a non-linear pattern.
• The range of data flow, i.e. maximum and minimum value, can be easily
determined.
• Observation and reading is straightforward.
• Plotting the diagram is relatively simple.
Summary
Scatter diagrams are very useful to determine the relation between two variables.
Usually the first variable is independent and the second is dependent on the first
variable. To analyze the pattern of the relationship, you make changes to the
independent variable and monitor the changes in the dependent variable.

Please keep in mind that the scatter diagram is different than the Ishikawa
diagram. The Ishikawa diagram shows you only the variables; it does not show
you the relationship between these variables. However, the Ishikawa diagram
can help you draw the scatter diagram; for example, you can find the two
variables (cause and effect), and then draw the scatter diagram to analyze the
relationship between them.

Here is where this blog post on the scatter diagram ends. If you have something
to share or any questoins, you can do so through the comments section.

Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)

Scatter Graphs Questions

1. The time, in minutes, that seven teenagers spent using their computer and spent watching TV on one day
is recorded in the table.

Time spent using computer (minutes) 10 20 30 40 45 55 60

Time spent watching TV (minutes) 50 40 45 40 30 30 20

(a) Plot these data as a scatter graph on the grid below.

50

40

Time spent
watching TV 30
(minutes)

20

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Time spent using computer (minutes)
(2)

(b) Draw a line of best fit on your scatter graph.

(1)

(c) Describe the relationship shown in the scatter graph.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(Total 4 marks)

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2. Mrs Millington gives her class two mock GCSE examination papers. The scatter graph shows the results.

100

80

60

Paper 2 mark

40

20

0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Paper 1 mark

(a) Write down the highest mark scored on Paper 2.

Answer ...................................................... marks

(1)

(b) Describe the relationship shown on the scatter graph.

.......................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(c) Draw a line of best fit on the scatter graph.

(1)

(d) Kay was absent for Paper 2, but scored a mark of 56 on Paper 1.
Use your line of best fit to estimate Kay’s mark on Paper 2.

.......................................................................................................................................

Answer ...................................................... marks

(1)
(Total 4 marks)

Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)

3. The scatter graph shows the number of ice creams sold plotted against the midday temperature.

200

180

160

140
Number of
ice creams 120
sold
100

80

60

40

20

0
50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70
Midday temperature (ºF)

(a) Draw a line of best fit on the scatter graph.

(1)

(b) Describe the relationship between the number of ice creams sold and the midday temperature.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 2 marks)

Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)

4. Some runners recorded their resting pulse rates and miles run per week.

80

75 ×
× ×
70 × × ×
× ×
65 ×
Resting pulse rate ×
(beats per minute) 60
×
× × ×
55

50 × × ×
×
45

40

20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75
Miles run per week

(a) How many runners have a resting pulse rate of 57 beats per minute?

Answer ................................................................
(1)

(b) Draw a line of best fit.

(1)

(c) Predict the resting pulse rate of a runner who runs 40 miles per week.

Answer ........................................ beats per minute

(1)

(d) Describe the relationship between the resting pulse rate and miles run per week.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 4 marks)

Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)

5. The scatter graph shows the height and trunk diameter of each of eight trees.

40

30 ×

× ×
Trunk diameter
(centimetres) 20 × ×

×
10 × ×

0
0 2 4 6 8
Height (metres)

(a) What is the height of the tallest tree?

Answer .............…………................ metres

(1)

(b) Draw a line of best fit through the points on the scatter graph.
(1)

(c) Describe the relationship shown in the scatter graph.

.....................…………………………………………………………………………

.....................…………………………………………………………………………
(1)

(d) A tree is 3 metres tall.

The trunk diameter is given as 31centimetres.
Explain why 13 centimetres is more likely.

.....................…………………………………………………………………………

.....................…………………………………………………………………………
(1)
(Total 4 marks)
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6. The value of six houses in 2000 is compared to the value of similar houses in 2004.
Here are the results.

House value in 2000

20 30 40 60 70 90
(thousands of pounds)
House value in 2004
40 60 70 100 140 170
(thousands of pounds)

(a) Draw a scatter graph of these results.

200

180

160

140

120
House value
in 2004
(thousands 100
of pounds)
80

60

40

20

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
House value in 2000 (thousands of pounds)
(2)

(b) Describe the relationship shown in the scatter graph.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)
(c) In 2000 a house was valued at £80 000.
Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)
 Estimate the value of a similar house in 2004.

.....................................................................................................................................

Answer £ .......................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

7. Six pupils revise for a test.

The table shows the time each pupil spent revising and their mark in the test.

Time (hours) 2 3 5 7 8 10
Mark 30 26 34 38 45 48

(a) Plot the data as a scatter graph on the grid below.

55

50

45

40
Mark
35

30

25

20

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Time (hours)
(2)

(b) Draw a line of best fit on the scatter graph.

(1)

(c) Use your line of best fit to estimate the mark of a pupil who revised for 4 hours.

Answer ………………………………….........
(1)
(Total 4 marks)

Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)

8. The scatter graph shows the number of cats and the number of dogs in each of six villages.

30 ×
Number 20
× ×
of cats
×
10
× ×
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Number of dogs

(a) Ayville has the lowest number of cats of the six villages.
Use the graph to find the number of cats in Ayville.

Answer ..................…….........................…..
(1)

(b) The point plotted for Beeville does not fit the general trend.
Circle the point for Beeville on the scatter graph.
(1)
(Total 2 marks)

9. Eight teenagers took part in a general knowledge quiz and a pop-music quiz.
The scatter graph shows their scores.

14

12

10
Score in
pop-music 8
quiz
6

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Score in general knowledge quiz

(a) Draw a line of best fit on the scatter graph.

(1)

(b) Describe the relationship shown in the scatter graph.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

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 (Total 2 marks)

10. The table shows the school year and the reaction time of eight people who took part in the same test.

School year 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Reaction time
6 5 4.8 4.5 4 4.2 3.5 3
(seconds)

(a) Draw a scatter graph of these data.

4
Reaction
time
(seconds)
3

0
0 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
School year
(2)

(b) Draw a line of best fit on your scatter graph.

(1)

(c) Describe the relationship shown by your scatter graph.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 4 marks)

Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)

-

Compiled By: Uzair Yaqoob (City School PECHS Boys Campus)

Scatter Graphs Answers
1. (a) All 7 points plotted accurately
1
± square B2
2
5 or 6 points correct (ignore extras) B1
(b) Single ruled sensible straight line B1
Passing through (20,40) & (30,45) and
(55,30) & (60,20) inclusive.
Length 15 to 60 on time axis.
(c) As the time spent on home computer increases the time spent B1
watching television decreases (or vice versa)
Accept negative correlation
(d) Question is leading or biased or unfair B1
It is suggestive
Do not accept: open
needs tick boxes
too complicated etc
[5]

2. (a) 88 B1
(b) The higher the mark on paper 1, the higher the mark on paper 2 B1
oe
accept positive correlation
(c) Straight line passing between (20, 14) to (90, 82) and (20, 25) to (90, 93) B1
(d) Correct mark (± 1) from their line B1 ft
[4]

3. (a) Line crossing between 20 and 40 and within 1 cm of (70,200) B1

Must be ruled, at least 10 cm long
(b) As one goes up so does the other B1
Positive correlation oe
Or hotter it gets the more ice creams sold oe
[2]

4. (a) 3 B1
(b) Line between limits B1
Passing between (20, 71) and (20, 76)
(inclusive) at one end and (65, 47) and (70, 50)
(inclusive) at the other. If not ’ruled’ BO.
(c) (63) B1ft
ft their line. ± lmm
(d) Negative correlation or
More miles run, lower pulse rate B1
oe
[4]

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5. (a) 7 B1
± 0.1
(b) Ruled line passing through B1
(1.4 to 2.6, 10) and (6.6 to 8, 30)
Line must cut vertical at 7
(c) The taller a tree is the broader its trunk B1
Positive correlation
(d) (3, 31) is a long way from the line B1
Line passes near (3, 13)
[4]

6. (a) 6 points plotted accurately B2

(± 1 sq)
2
Ignore extras ignore sticks
B1 for 5 points correct
(b) As the house values increase in 2000 the house values in 2004 also increase B1
Accept positive correlation or as one goes up the other goes up
(c) Sensible ruled line of best fit
Negative line B1 B0
On or between (30, 60) and (40, 60) and on or between
(60, 100) and (70, 140) and extending from 40 to 80 on x-axis

About £150 (000) (± 1 sq) B1 ft

2
Line must have a positive gradient, their line value ± £2000
Ignore a negative line for ft
Alternative method
No line drawn but estimate
144 (000) → 160 (000)
inclusive scores B2
Negative line B0B1
[5]

7. (a) Points plotted correctly B2

–1 eeoo
(b) Suitable line of best fit drawn Blft
1
Horizontally from 2 to 10 ± sq
2
Vertically between (2, 30) and
(3, 26) and (8, 45) and (7, 38)
(c) ‘30’ Blft
Strict follow through from line
[4]

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8. (a) 5 B1
Do not accept (21,5)
(b) Indicates (45, 7) B1
[2]

9. (a) Single sensible ruled line B1

Between or on (6,10) and (6,12) and
(14,8) and (15,6)
Length of line from x = 6 to x = 18
(b) The higher the score in general
knowledge the lower the score in
pop-music or vice versa B1
Accept negative correlation
Do not accept: negative on its own or negative relationship
[2]

10. (a) All 8 points plotted correctly

1
± square B2
2
Only 6 or 7 points correct
Ignore extra points B1
(b) Suitable straight line of best fit drawn B1
Must reach x = 5 and x =11 and pass between (5, 5.5 to 6.5)
and (11, 3.5 to 4.2) Dotted line OK
(c) The older the person the quicker they can do the test B1
Accept negative correlation
[4]

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