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correlation family
scatter
Two-variable correlation across many points.
Each point encodes two variables (x, y). The cloud shape reveals correlation, clusters, outliers. The fundamental tool for showing relationships between numeric variables.
When to use
30+ observations where the relationship or clusters are the point.
When NOT to use
Few points (use bar or labels), or you only have one variable (use histogram).
Rhetorical roles
- correlate
Variants & related
Required primitives
- has_axis_titles
Optional primitives
- has_legend
- has_data_labels
- has_trendline
- has_source_note
Common anti-patterns
- hero-with-no-takeaway
- unsourced-data
Disambiguation rules
- Loose cloud of dots in 2D space.
- If a fitted line / curve is drawn through the points, it is scatter-with-trendlines.
- If point size encodes a third variable, it is bubble.