A scatter plot matrix is a grid (or matrix) of scatter plots used to visualize bivariate relationships between combinations of variables. Each scatter plot in the matrix visualizes the relationship between a pair of variables, allowing many relationships to be explored in one chart.
Variables
A scatter plot matrix is made up of three or more Numeric fields. A scatter plot is created for every pairwise combination of variables selected.
Statistics
A regression equation is calculated for every scatter plot in the matrix. You can add the associated trend lines to the scatter plots by checking Show linear trend in the Chart Properties pane. Alternatively, you can view the miniplots in the grid as R² or Pearson's r values with a color gradient corresponding to the strength of the value by setting the Lower left and Upper right controls in the Chart Properties pane.
Layout
A scatter plot matrix layout consists of two halves cut across a diagonal. Each half of the matrix, as well as the diagonal, can be configured to suit your visualization needs.
The Lower left half of the layout can be configured to display any of the following options:
- Scatterplots—Displays a mirrored grid of the miniplots. This is the default.
- R-Squared—Displays a mirrored grid of the miniplots shown as R² values, with a color gradient corresponding to the strength of the relationship.
- Pearson's r—Displays a mirrored grid of the miniplots shown as r-values, with a diverging color gradient corresponding to the strength and direction of the relationship.
- None—The lower left half of the layout is left blank.
The Upper right half of the layout can be configured to display any of the following options:
- Preview Plot—Displays a detailed, interactive view of the selected miniplot. This is the default.
- Mirrored Scatterplot—Displays a mirrored grid of the miniplots.
- R-Squared—Displays a mirrored grid of the miniplots shown as R² values, with a color gradient corresponding to the strength of the relationship.
- Pearson's r—Displays a mirrored grid of the miniplots shown as r-values, with a diverging color gradient corresponding to the strength and direction of the relationship.
- None—The upper right half of the layout is left blank.
The Diagonal can be configured to display any of the following options:
- None—The diagonal is left blank. This is the default.
- Histograms—Displays histograms that show the distribution of each numeric variable in the matrix.
- Field Names—Displays the field names.
Sorting
The scatter plot matrix grid can be sorted according to the order of field names, the strength of relationships, a custom order, or alphabetically. To better understand the strength of relationships between two variables, a Target field can be set with a Sort by option of R-Squared or Pearson's r. This arranges the scatter plot matrix to move the Target field to the first column of the grid and sorts the rows according to the metric score specified by the selected Sort by option. It is also possible to specify a sort order by selecting a Sort direction option.
Appearance
The appearance of a scatter plot matrix, including title text and visual styling, can be customized through the Chart Properties pane.
Titles and description
Charts and axes are given default titles based on the variable names and chart type. These can be edited on the General tab in the Chart Properties pane. You can also provide a chart Description, which is a block of text that appears at the bottom of the chart window.
Visual formatting
You can configure the look of your chart by formatting text and symbol elements, or by applying a chart theme. Format properties can be configured on the Format tab in the Chart Properties pane, or through the Chart Format context ribbon. Chart formatting options include the following:
- Size, color, and style of the font used for axis titles, axis labels, description text, legend title, legend text, and guide labels
- Color, width, and line type for grid and axis lines
- Background color of the chart
Color
Scatter plot points can be visualized using a single color, or with the colors specified in the layer's symbology. By default, scatter plots use layer colors and inherit their outline and fill colors from the source layer symbology.
Example
Create a scatter plot to visualize the relationships between several chronic conditions and identify which correlations are strongest.
- Numeric variables—COPD, Diabetes, Heart Failure, Hypertension, High Cholesterol
- Lower left—R-Squared
- Upper right—Preview Plot
