Measures of Central Tendency：.pptVIP

Semi-Interquartile range What is a quartile?? Divide sample into 4 parts of equal size Q1 , Q2 , Q3 = Quartile Points Interquartile Range = Q3 - Q1 Difference between highest and lowest quartile SIQR = IQR / 2 Related to the Median…prevents outliers from overly skewing measure For ordinal data or skewed interval/ratio BMD and walking Quartiles based on miles walked/week Krall et al, 1994, Walking is related to bone density and rates of bone loss. AJSM, 96:20-26 Notes: Skewed Distribution? 95th Percentile? 50th Percentile vs Median? Standard Deviation Most commonly accepted measure of spread Compute the deviations of all numbers from the mean Square and THEN sum each of the deviations Divide by the number of deviations Finally, take the square root Variation itself is natures only irreducible essence. Stephen Jay Gould Standard Deviation Distribution = 1, 3, 5, 7 X = 16 /4 = 4 1) Compute Deviations = -3, -1, 1, 3 2) Square Deviations = 9, 1, 1, 9 3) Sum Deviations = 20 4) Divide by n= 20/4 = 5 5) Take square root = √5 = 2.2 Key points about SD SD small ? data clustered round mean SD large?data scattered from the mean Affected by extreme scores (just like mean)…oftentimes called “outliers” Consistent (more stable) across samples from the same population Just like the mean - so it works well with inferential stats (where repeated samples are taken) SD Example Three NFL quarterbacks with similar QB ratings in 2006: Matt Hasselbeck (SEA) = 76.0 Rex Grossman (CHI) = 73.9 Brett Favre (GB) = 72.7 Note: QB rating involves a complex formula accounting for passing attempts, completions, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions…100+ is considered outstanding 70-80 is average All appear to have had very similar, somewhat mediocre seasons as QB’s SD Example Let’s look at the SD of their game-by-game QB ratings: Matt Hasselbeck (SEA) = 29.97 Rex Grossman (CHI) = 47.60 Brett Favre (GB) = 27.81 Grossman had, by far, the most variability (i.e. inconsistency) in his game-by-game pe