DOTPLOTS

The dotplot is a graphical display that has features in common with th e histogram and the scatterplot. Although in common use in scientific journals, it has received scant attention in the statistical literatur e. We describe the basic dotplot and possible enhancements. We discuss the types of data phenomena that it is suited to detect or represent, compare it with other techniques and give a range of examples. We dis cuss computational issues and give code fragments in Fortran that may form the basis of a dotplot program. Such software could replace the a rtists' drawings that frequently appear in journals and could encourag e the use of dotplots in exploratory analysis.