What do broken vertical lines on a graph typically signify?

Broken vertical lines on a graph are commonly used to represent condition changes. This visual cue indicates that there has been a shift in the conditions under which the data was collected, often corresponding to the implementation of an intervention or a change in the environment. Such delineations help viewers quickly identify when adjustments were made that could affect the behavior being observed or the results being reported.

When observing graphs that depict behavior over time, it is essential to understand the context of these condition changes, as they allow for a clearer interpretation of the data trends. By marking these shifts, practitioners can analyze the impact that different conditions may have had on the results, thereby enhancing understanding of how interventions or environmental changes influence behavior.

In contrast, other potential answers like phase changes, data anomalies, or statistical significance have distinct meanings. Phase changes, for example, usually refer to transitions within a specific study phase (like baseline to treatment) rather than indicating a change in external conditions. Data anomalies represent irregular or unexpected data points but do not necessarily correlate with a visual representation like broken lines. Lastly, statistical significance pertains to the results derived from statistical analysis rather than being visually indicated through a graph.