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Section 3.2 Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
  • Explain why visualizing data is a critical step alongside summary statistics
  • Describe the core grammar of graphics used by ggplot2 (data, aesthetics, geometry)
  • Create common plot types using ggplot2, including scatterplots, bar charts, column charts, histograms, density plots, boxplots, and line graphs
  • Map and customize aesthetics such as color, shape, size, fill, and transparency
  • Enhance visual clarity using labels, themes, facets, coordinate transformations, and reference lines
  • Add contextual information to plots using trend lines, error bars, and text labels
  • Interpret visual patterns to identify relationships, distributions, outliers, and trends in data
  • Create visualizations that are interpretable and reproducible when viewed independently of accompanying text
With that being said, let’s get right to it.