Analysing scatter plots (i.e. bivariate) - TARSOG

Task goals

• Recall what T, A, R, S, O, and G each stand for in the TARSOG framework for scatter plots.
• Identify the trend in a scatter plot as linear or non-linear.
• Identify the association as positive or negative (correlation direction is correctly described as positive/negative for scatter plots, unlike time series trend).
• Judge the relationship strength as weak, moderate, or strong from how closely points cluster around the trend.
• Identify the scatter as constant or non-constant (whether the spread of points stays even or changes across the plot).
• Identify outliers and groupings, and explain how each affects the reading of the overall trend and association.
• Analyse an unfamiliar scatter plot using all six TARSOG components together, justifying each classification.