Flexplot: Graphically-based data analysis.

Abstract

The human visual processing system has enormous bandwidth, able to interpret vast amounts of data in fractions of a second (Otten et al., 2015). Despite this amazing ability, there is a troubling lack of graphics in scientific literature (Healy & Moody, 2014), and the graphics most traditionally used tend to bias perception in unintentional ways (Weissgerber et al., 2015). I suspect the reason for the underuse and misuse of graphics is because sound graphs are difficult to produce with existing software (Wainer, 2010). While ggplot2 allows immense flexibility in creating graphics, its learning curve is quite steep, and even basic graphics require multiple lines of code. flexplot is an R package that aims to address these issues by providing a formula-based suite of tools that simplifies and automates much of the graphical decision-making. Additionally, flexplot pairs well with statistical modeling, making it easy for researchers to produce graphs that map onto statistical procedures. With one-line functions, users can visualize bivariate statistical models (e.g., scatterplots for regression, beeswarm plots for ANOVA/t-tests), multivariate statistical models (e.g., ANCOVA and multiple regression), and even more sophisticated models like multilevel models and logistic regressions. Further, this package utilizes old tools (e.g., added variable plots and coplots) as well as introduces new tools for complex visualizations, including ghost lines and point sampling. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).