Plotting many variables at once

Understanding Data Visualization

Richie Cotton

Data Evangelist

When should you use a pair plot?

  • You have up to ten variables (either continuous, categorical, or a mix).
  • You want to see the distribution for each variable.
  • You want to see the relationship between each pair of variables.
Understanding Data Visualization

Pair plot of LA home prices

Understanding Data Visualization

Pair plot of LA home prices only showing distribution of cities

Understanding Data Visualization

Pair plot of LA home prices only showing distribution of continuous variables

Understanding Data Visualization

Pair plot of LA home prices only showing relationships between continuous variables

Understanding Data Visualization

Pair plot of LA home prices only showing relationships between continuous and categorical variables

Understanding Data Visualization

Pair plot of LA home prices

Understanding Data Visualization

Pair plot of LA home prices only showing panels with correlation numbers

Understanding Data Visualization

When should you use a correlation heatmap?

  • You have lots of continuous variables.
  • You want to a simple overview of how each pair of variables is related.
Understanding Data Visualization

Correlation heatmap of a customer satisfaction survey for a Yellow Pages advertising product

1 Rossi, Allenby, and McCulloch (2005). Bayesian Statistics & Marketing
Understanding Data Visualization

The United Nations dataset again

Scatter plot of length of schooling vs GNI with life expectancy represented as color

Understanding Data Visualization

When should you use a parallel coordinates plot?

  • You have lots of continuous variables.
  • You want to find patterns across these variables, or
  • You want to visualize clusters of observations.
Understanding Data Visualization

A parallel coordinates plot

Parallel coordinates plot of GNI, human development index, life expectancy, and average length of schooling years

Understanding Data Visualization

Parallel coordinates plot of GNI, human development index, life expectancy, and average length of schooling years, separated by continent

Understanding Data Visualization

Let's practice!

Understanding Data Visualization

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