Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Practice Exam

What does a scatter diagram illustrate?

1. Sequential progression of activities

2. Possible relationships between two variables

3. Trends over time

4. Patterns in quality control

The correct answer is: Possible relationships between two variables

A scatter diagram primarily illustrates possible relationships between two variables by plotting data points on a two-dimensional graph. Each axis represents one of the variables, allowing for the visualization of how changes in one variable may relate to changes in the other. This relationship can indicate correlation, such as positive, negative, or no correlation, which can be beneficial for understanding patterns and making predictions based on the observed data. The other options focus on different types of visual representations or analyses. For example, a sequential progression of activities would typically be depicted in a flowchart or Gantt chart rather than a scatter diagram. Trends over time are more commonly shown through line graphs or time series plots. Finally, patterns in quality control would often be represented using control charts or histograms, which are designed to track variations in processes rather than correlating two distinct variables.