Viewing box plots

An example of a box plot of a two-group experiment with 12 samples is shown in figure 28.68.

Image box_plot_good
Figure 28.68: A box plot of 12 samples in a two-group experiment, colored by group.

Note that the boxes per default are colored according to their group relationship. At the bottom you find the names of the samples, and the y-axis shows the expression values (note that sample names are not shown in figure 28.68).

Per default the box includes the IQR values (from the lower to the upper quartile), the median is displayed as a line in the box, and the whiskers extend 1.5 times the height of the box.

In the Side Panel to the left, there is a number of options to adjust this view. Under Graph preferences, you can adjust the general properties of the box plot (see figure 28.69).

Image box_plot_graph_preferences
Figure 28.69: Graph preferences for a box plot.

Below the general preferences, you find the Lines and dots preferences, where you can adjust coloring and appearance (see figure 28.70).

Image box_plot_dot_preferences
Figure 28.70: Lines and dot preferences for a box plot.

Note that if you wish to use the same settings next time you open a box plot, you need to save the settings of the Side Panel.