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Visual Representation of Data Including Graphical Exploratory Data Analysis

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Methods of Environmental Data Analysis

Part of the book series: Environmental Management Series ((EMANS))

Abstract

Reliance on simple number summaries, such as correlation coefficients, without plotting the data used to derive the coefficients, can lead one to misinterpret their real meaning. 1–3 An excellent example of this is shown in Fig. 1, which shows a series of plots of data sets, all of which have correlation coefficients, some of which apparently indicate reasonably strong correlation. However, the plots reveal clearly the dangers of relying only on number summaries. They also demonstrate the value of graphical displays in understanding data behaviour and identifying influential observations.

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  1. John M. Thompson

    Present address: Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, B15 2TH, UK

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  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics, University of Keele Hospital Centre, Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7QB, UK

    John M. Thompson

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  1. Institute of Environmental & Biological Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK

    C. N. Hewitt

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Thompson, J.M. (1992). Visual Representation of Data Including Graphical Exploratory Data Analysis. In: Hewitt, C.N. (eds) Methods of Environmental Data Analysis. Environmental Management Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2920-6_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2920-6_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

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