Question

Which is the best way to display this data for analysis?
Place the data in a chart that includes individual measurements before averages were calculated so the information is more complete.
Transfer the data into a pie chart with five sections, one for each week, that are sized based on plant growth for that week.
Use the first column of data for the x axis the second column for the y axis and plot the data in a line graph to show the growth trend.
Use the first column of data for the y axis the second column for the x axis and plot the data in a line graph to show the growth trend.

Answer 1

Best: plot time (first column) on the x‑axis and growth (second column) on the y‑axis, but show the individual measurements as well as the averages.

Why:
- Time series data is best shown as x=time, y=measurement — so use the first column for x and the second for y (not swapped).
- Pie charts are inappropriate for trends over time; they show parts of a whole at one moment, not change.
- Showing only averages hides variability. For analysis, plot all points (scatter) for each week, overlay the mean (connected with a line) and add error bars (SD or SE) or a boxplot/violin per week.

Recommended plots:
- Scatter of individual measurements by week with a connected line for the weekly means and error bars.
- Or boxplots/violin plots per week to summarize distributions.

This gives a clear growth trend while preserving the underlying variability for proper interpretation.