A graph visualization is a type of visualization that shows the relationships among data points by using nodes (or vertices) to represent the data points and edges (or links) to represent the connections between them1. A graph visualization can help reveal patterns, clusters, outliers, or hierarchies in the data2. In a graph visualization, an edge represents a link between two data points, indicating that they have some kind of association, interaction, similarity, or dependency3. For example, in a study on protein interactions, an edge could represent a physical or functional interaction between two proteins, such as binding, signaling, or regulation4.
A single data point, a collection of data points and links, and a dedicated algorithm that calculates the node positions are not correct definitions of an edge in a graph visualization. A single data point is represented by a node, not an edge, in a graph visualization. A collection of data points and links is the whole graph, not an edge, in a graph visualization. A dedicated algorithm that calculates the node positions is a method of graph layout, not an edge, in a graph visualization. A graph layout is the way the nodes and edges are arranged in a graph visualization, which can affect the readability, aesthetics, and interpretation of the graph.
References:1: Guide to Business Data Analytics, IIBA, 2020, p. 692: Data Visualization: The Definitive Guide, Tableau, 3: Graph Visualization: The Definitive Guide, Tableau, 4: Protein Interaction Networks, Nature, . : Graph Visualization: The Definitive Guide, Tableau, . : Guide to Business Data Analytics, IIBA, 2020, p. 69. : Data Visualization: The Definitive Guide, Tableau, . : Graph Visualization: The Definitive Guide, Tableau, . : Protein Interaction Networks, Nature, . : Graph Visualization: The Definitive Guide, Tableau, .