Talk:Scatter plot/Archives/2014

Language/clarity of explanation

In the first paragraph of "Overview," the article states:

If a parameter exists that is systematically incremented and/or decremented by the other, it is called the control parameter or independent variable and is customarily plotted along the horizontal axis. The measured or dependent variable is customarily plotted along the vertical axis.

This can be confusing to readers. Most sources identify the independent variable as the variable directly controlled (varied) by the experimenter. Most of these same sources identify the dependent variable as a variable not directly varied by the experimenter, whose variations in response to variation of the independent variable are measured and documented on the scatter plot. The way the article is worded, the causative relationship appears to be reversed:

If "v" exists, it is called [the independent variable]. The measured [...].

The pronoun "it" refers to the first object in the sentence, this being the subject, "parameter." In its current wording, the sentence states that the parameter that is incremented or decremented by another parameter is the independent variable. Furthermore, "the other" seems to refer to the word parameter in the previous sentence, implying the same reversed relationship.

If I am mistaken, I would greatly appreciate a clarification. Thank you. Zach the Wanderer (talk) 17:42, 5 October 2012 (UTC)