Graphing Resources

Graph Types

Selecting a Graph Type

Now that you have identified the data types of your independent and dependent variables, you need to match a graph type to your variable types. Initially, you can classify your independent and dependent variables as either Qualitative or Quantitative. Most of the time you will be working with a single, quantitative dependent variable. If that is the case, then you can use the decision tree below to help you decide what type of graph you should use based on your independent variable(s).



 
 

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Rev. RW 5/16/05

Qualitative Variables Quantitative Variables Composite Bar Graph Grouped Bar Graph Simple Bar Graph Multiple Line Graph Line Graph Simple Bar Graph Line Graph Multiple Line Graph Scatter Plot Scatter Plot Histogram