Introduction to Stata 8 - (GRIPS

14. Graphs
14.1. Introduction
The purpose of this section is to help you understand the fundamentals of Stata 8 graphs, and
to enable you to create and modify them.
With Stata's dialogs you can easily define a graph. Once you made your choices, press
[Submit] rather than [OK]; this gives the opportunity to modify your choices after having
looked at the result.
This was the easy part. For the purpose of analysis you can do most things with the dialogs.
Look at the illustrations in this section to get some ideas of the types and names of graphs. At
www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/Library/GraphExamples/default.htm you find a number of graph
examples with the commands used.
The following more complex stuff illustrates how to make graphs ready for publication.
– o –
Stata can produce high-quality graphs, suited for publication. However, the first edition of the
Graphics manual is complicated to use, to say the least; don't feel inferior if you get lost in the
maze while looking up information. The on-line help works better, once you understand the
general principles.
Use the Graphics manual to see examples of graphs, but skip the style and options specifications
unless you are very dedicated.
The style of the graphs presented here is different from the manual style; I attempted to hit a
leaner mainstream style used in most scientific journals. The graphs are based upon my
schemes lean1 with a framed plot area and no gridlines and lean2 with no frame but
with gridlines. Find the schemes used by findit lean schemes. See more on this issue
under Schemes, section 14.9.
You will meet some critical remarks in this section. However:
• Stata's graphics is a very versatile system; you can create almost whatever you want,
except (fortunately) 3-D effects.
• The Stata people are very open to criticism and suggestions, and the users' input no
doubt will give inspiration to improved design, accessibility and documentation.
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