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ABSTRACT: Small systematic changes in climatic records are often poorly visualized by standard time series plots because they are usually hidden by the magnitude and variability of the data values themselves. A visualization approach based on the rescaled adjusted partial sums (RAPS) which overcomes the above‐stated shortcomings is presented. This visualization highlights trends, shifts, data clustering, irregular fluctuations, and periodicities in the record. Additional information on the number, magnitude, shape, frequency, and timing of fluctuations and trends can also be inferred. The visualization approach can be used for preliminary visual inspection of a time series, to gain a feel for the data, and/or to guide and focus subsequent statistical tests and analyses. It is not intended as a substitute for standard statistical analysis. Alternatively, the visualization approach can be used to display findings of a time series analysis. The capabilities and limitations of the approach are discussed and illustrated for two time series of annual rainfall values.
Garbrecht et al. (1994) studied this question.