graphs

What is the T Distribution?

The t distribution is a continuous probability distribution that is symmetric and bell-shaped like the normal distribution but with a shorter peak and thicker tails. It was designed to factor in the greater uncertainty associated with small sample sizes.

The t distribution describes the variability of the distances between sample means and the population mean when the population standard deviation is unknown and the data approximately follow the normal distribution. This distribution has only one parameter, the degrees of freedom, based on (but not equal to) the sample size. [Read more…] about T Distribution: Definition & Uses

Difference Between Standard Deviation and Standard Error

By Jim Frost 6 Comments

The difference between a standard deviation and a standard error can seem murky. Let’s clear that up in this post!

Standard deviation (SD) and standard error (SE) both measure variability. High values of either statistic indicate more dispersion. However, that’s where the similarities end. The standard deviation is not the same as the standard error. [Read more…] about Difference Between Standard Deviation and Standard Error

Beta Distribution: Uses, Parameters & Examples

The beta distribution is a continuous probability distribution that models random variables with values falling inside a finite interval. Use it to model subject areas with both an upper and lower bound for possible values. Analysts commonly use it to model the time to complete a task, the distribution of order statistics, and the prior distribution for binomial proportions in Bayesian analysis. [Read more…] about Beta Distribution: Uses, Parameters & Examples

Geometric Distribution: Uses, Calculator & Formula

What is a Geometric Distribution?

The geometric distribution is a discrete probability distribution that calculates the probability of the first success occurring during a specific trial. In other words, during a series of attempts, what is the probability of success first occurring during each attempt? Use this distribution when you need to understand how many attempts are necessary to produce the first successful outcome. [Read more…] about Geometric Distribution: Uses, Calculator & Formula

Bimodal Distribution: Definition, Examples & Analysis

A bimodal distribution has two peaks. In the context of a continuous probability distribution, modes are peaks in the distribution. The graph below shows a bimodal distribution. [Read more…] about Bimodal Distribution: Definition, Examples & Analysis

Binomial Distribution: Uses, Calculator & Formula

What is a Binomial Distribution?

The binomial distribution is a discrete probability distribution that calculates the probability an event will occur a specific number of times in a set number of opportunities. Use the binomial distribution when your outcome is binary. Binary outcomes have only two possible values that are mutually exclusive. [Read more…] about Binomial Distribution: Uses, Calculator & Formula

F-table

These F-tables provide the critical values for right-tail F-tests. Your F-test results are statistically significant when its test statistic is greater than this value. [Read more…] about F-table

Sampling Distribution: Definition, Formula & Examples

By Jim Frost 4 Comments

What is a Sampling Distribution?

A sampling distribution of a statistic is a type of probability distribution created by drawing many random samples of a given size from the same population. These distributions help you understand how a sample statistic varies from sample to sample. [Read more…] about Sampling Distribution: Definition, Formula & Examples

Critical Value: Definition, Finding & Calculator

What is a Critical Value?

A critical value defines regions in the sampling distribution of a test statistic. These values play a role in both hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. In hypothesis tests, critical values determine whether the results are statistically significant. For confidence intervals, they help calculate the upper and lower limits. [Read more…] about Critical Value: Definition, Finding & Calculator

Chi-Square Table

This chi-square table provides the critical values for chi-square (χ²) hypothesis tests. The column and row intersections are the right-tail critical values for a given probability and degrees of freedom. [Read more…] about Chi-Square Table

Z-table

Z-Score Table

A z-table, also known as the standard normal table, provides the area under the curve to the left of a z-score. This area represents the probability that z-values will fall within a region of the standard normal distribution. Use a z-table to find probabilities corresponding to ranges of z-scores and to find p-values for z-tests. [Read more…] about Z-table

Lognormal Distribution: Uses, Parameters & Examples

What is the Lognormal Distribution?

The lognormal distribution is a continuous probability distribution that models right-skewed data. The shape of the lognormal distribution is comparable to the Weibull and loglogistic distributions. [Read more…] about Lognormal Distribution: Uses, Parameters & Examples

A Statistical Thanksgiving: Global Income Distributions

By Jim Frost 6 Comments

In the United States, our Thanksgiving holiday is fast approaching. On this day, we give thanks for the good things in our lives.

For this post, I wanted to quantify how thankful we should be. Ideally, I’d quantify something truly meaningful, like happiness. Unfortunately, most countries are not like Bhutan, which measures the gross national happiness and incorporates it into their five-year development plans.

Instead, I’ll focus on something that is more concrete and regularly measured around the world—income. By examining income distributions, I’ll show that you have much to be thankful for, and so does most of the world! [Read more…] about A Statistical Thanksgiving: Global Income Distributions

Uniform Distribution: Definition & Examples

By Jim Frost 4 Comments

What is a Uniform Distribution?

The uniform distribution is a symmetric probability distribution where all outcomes have an equal likelihood of occurring. All values in the distribution have a constant probability, making them uniformly distributed. This distribution is also known as the rectangular distribution because of its shape in probability distribution plots, as I’ll show you below. [Read more…] about Uniform Distribution: Definition & Examples

Skewed Distribution: Definition & Examples

What is a Skewed Distribution?

A skewed distribution occurs when one tail is longer than the other. Skewness defines the asymmetry of a distribution. Unlike the familiar normal distribution with its bell-shaped curve, these distributions are asymmetric. The two halves of the distribution are not mirror images because the data are not distributed equally on both sides of the distribution’s peak. [Read more…] about Skewed Distribution: Definition & Examples

Heterogeneity in Data and Samples for Statistics

By Jim Frost 6 Comments

What is Heterogeneity?

Heterogeneity is defined as a dissimilarity between elements that comprise a whole. When heterogeneity is present, there is diversity in the characteristic under study. The parts of the whole are different, not the same. It is an essential concept in science and statistics. Heterogeneous is the opposite of homogeneous. [Read more…] about Heterogeneity in Data and Samples for Statistics

Range of a Data Set

The range of a data set is the difference between the maximum and the minimum values. It measures variability using the same units as the data. Larger values represent greater variability.

The range is the easiest measure of dispersion to calculate and interpret in statistics, but it has some limitations. In this post, I’ll show you how to find the range mathematically and graphically, interpret it, explain its limitations, and clarify when to use it. [Read more…] about Range of a Data Set

Relative Frequencies and Their Distributions

By Jim Frost 5 Comments

A relative frequency indicates how often a specific kind of event occurs within the total number of observations. It is a type of frequency that uses percentages, proportions, and fractions.

In this post, learn about relative frequencies, the relative frequency distribution, and its cumulative counterpart. [Read more…] about Relative Frequencies and Their Distributions

Empirical Rule: Definition & Formula