This dataset example introduces researchers to plotting a time series for a single variable. A time series plot is a particular kind of two-way scatter plot where time is plotted on the horizontal axis and values of the variable in question are plotted on the vertical axis. Such plots allow researchers to observe graphically any trends or patterns that might be present in a variable over time. This example uses a subset of data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Database. It examines trends in total corn production in millions of bushels per year from 1876 to 2015. Understanding trends in corn production could help policy makers, farmers, and economists make better decisions regarding agricultural markets. The sample dataset used for this example has been cleaned and organized to make this example easier to follow. Interested readers should read the full documentation for the dataset before using it for research (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/feed-grains-database.aspx)
