PSDI Variability Plot Generator
Organic chemists traditionally report experimental outcomes (e.g. reaction yield) as a single point value based on only one (or very few) experiments. The PSDI Variability Plot Generator enables you to produce plots that describe the reproducibility of any numerical reaction outcome. The service calculates mean values and confidence intervals, displaying them on a scatterplot that can be downloaded or copied into another document.
Using the Variability Plot Generator
In order to calculate mean values and a confidence interval for the plot, the experimental process needs to have been completed a minimum of three times using identical conditions. The width of the confidence interval that accompanies the plotted mean value is based on a combination of the outcome variance and the number of data points. To minimise the uncertainty associated with your reaction outcome, it is recommended that at least five measurements are recorded.
You can adjust a range of settings to tailor your plot, and you can also choose the download format.
Access the service using this link, PSDI Variability Plot Generator.
Create a plot using the Variability Plot Generator
To create a plot:
- Select the type of measurement from the Reaction outcome dropdown list. If you select Other, enter a name for the outcome in the Define outcome text field.
- Enter the number of times you carried out the experiment in the Number of reaction outcome values field. This value sets the number of fields into which you can add your values. You can also use the + and - buttons to add and remove fields.
- Add the value of the reaction outcome from each single iteration of the experiment in the Reaction outcome values field.
- Enter a label for your product in the Product label text field.
- Enter the confidence level that you wish to display in the Confidence level (%) text field.
A variability plot is automatically generated showing your data together with the mean yield and confidence intervals.
Customise your variability plot
There are a variety of settings that you can configure to customise your variability plot.
- (Optional) Enter a width and height for the chart image in the Chart width/height (pixels) text fields. The default values set the plot image size to 640 x 480 pixels.
- (Optional) Click Customise plot to configure additional settings for your variability plot. You can view your changes in the preview.
- Click Apply changes to keep your changed settings and exit the Customise variability plot dialog, or click Cancel to discard your changes.
Download or copy your variability plot
You can use the Copy plot to clipboard button to copy the plot to paste into another document. Alternatively, use the following instructions to download the image a format of your choice:
- (Optional) In the Image resolution dropdown, select where the image is intended to be used and your preferred resolution.
- Select your preferred image type from the Download format dropdown.
- Click the Download plot button to download the plot with your chosen settings. The file will be saved to your Downloads folder.
What to do next
- Read a primer on Reporting Uncertainty
- Find out about other Resources for organic chemists
Related links:
- Learn about other PSDI resources
- Explore our resources in the What We Provide pages
- Creator: Cerys Willoughby
- Last modified date: 2026-03-31
- License: CC-BY-4.0
- Citation: Please cite: Cerys Willoughby, PSDI Variability Plot Generator, https://guidance.psdi.ac.uk/docusaurus-pages/docs/guidance/psdi-resources/organic-toolkit/variability, PSDI (modified 2026-03-31)
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