ERIC Number: EJ1251081
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1069-1898
EISSN: N/A
Comparison of Beginning R Students' Perceptions of Peer-Made Plots Created in Two Plotting Systems: A Randomized Experiment
Myint, Leslie; Hadavand, Aboozar; Jager, Leah; Leek, Jeffrey
Journal of Statistics Education, v28 n1 p98-108 2020
We performed an empirical study of the perceived quality of scientific graphics produced by beginning R users in two plotting systems: the base graphics package ("base R") and the ggplot2 add-on package. In our experiment, students taking a data science course on the Coursera platform were randomized to complete identical plotting exercises using either base R or ggplot2. This exercise involved creating two plots: one bivariate scatterplot and one plot of a multivariate relationship that necessitated using color or panels. Students evaluated their peers on visual characteristics key to clear scientific communication, including plot clarity and sufficient labeling. We observed that graphics created with the two systems rated similarly on many characteristics. However, ggplot2 graphics were generally perceived by students to be slightly more clear overall with respect to presentation of a scientific relationship. This increase was more pronounced for the multivariate relationship. Through expert analysis of submissions, we also find that certain concrete plot features (e.g., trend lines, axis labels, legends, panels, and color) tend to be used more commonly in one system than the other. These observations may help educators emphasize the use of certain plot features targeted to correct common student mistakes. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
Descriptors: Statistics, Randomized Controlled Trials, Teaching Methods, Courseware, Peer Evaluation, Computer Graphics, Multivariate Analysis, Error Correction, Visual Aids, Undergraduate Students, Assignments, Graphs, Programming Languages, Online Courses
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (DHHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: R01GM115440