Question

Suggest one or more types of graph that would be appropriate for showing an association between each of the following variables. If more than one type is appropriate, indicate what additional factors would influence your choice, if any. (One mark each).

a) Plant height (cm) and fertilizer type (N, P or K)

b) The proportion of tadpoles surviving to adulthood and the concentration of a pesticide in the environment

c) The proportion of individuals contracting seasonal flu and the vaccination status of individuals (had or did not have the flu shot)

d) The average adult body size of mammal species (kg) and the average size of their home range (km2)

e) The number of viable eggs produced by hermaphroditic worms and the way in which the eggs were fertilized (self-fertilization or fertilization by another worm).

Answer 1

a) Plant height (cm) and fertilizer type (N, P or K)

Answer :

Bar graphs:

If you want to compare frequencies of different categories with one another, choose bar graph to represent your data

b) The proportion of tadpoles surviving to adulthood and the concentration of a pesticide in the environment

Answer : Scatter plot

A scatter plot can be used either when one continuous variable that is under the control of the experimenter and the other depends on it

c) The proportion of individuals contracting seasonal flu and the vaccination status of individuals (had or did not have the flu shot)

Answer : Bar graph

d) The average adult body size of mammal species (kg) and the average size of their home range (km2)

Answer : Scatter plot

e) The number of viable eggs produced by hermaphroditic worms and the way in which the eggs were fertilized (self-fertilization or fertilization by another worm).

Answer : Stacked graphs

Stacked graphs are commonly used on bars, to show multiple values for individual categories, or lines, to show multiple values over time. Thus, stacked graphs must always work with positive values.