What is a "scatter plot" used for?

A scatter plot is a graphical representation used specifically to illustrate the relationship between two quantitative variables. Each point on the scatter plot corresponds to a single data point, with one variable plotted on the x-axis and the other on the y-axis. This visualization is particularly useful for identifying patterns, trends, or correlations within the data.

When creating a scatter plot, one can quickly determine whether there is a positive, negative, or no relationship between the variables based on the distribution of the points. For example, if the points trend upward from left to right, it indicates a positive correlation; if they trend downward, it suggests a negative correlation. This ability to visualize the relationship aids in making informed data-driven decisions, thus highlighting its significance in quality improvement and analysis.