Posted by
Siraj Ur-rehman on
Aug 16, 2006; 4:05pm
URL: http://spssx-discussion.165.s1.nabble.com/Dispersion-tp1070259p1070260.html
Thanks a lot Marta and David.
Siraj
-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:
[hidden email]] On Behalf Of David C
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 12:31 PM
To:
[hidden email]
Subject: Re: Dispersion
I believe Marta is correct. Believe it or not, as these msgs were coming in I was preparing/reviewing for a course for the Fall semester and in the Chapter I was reading (Research Methods for Public Administrators (4th Ed.), O'Sullivan, et al, p 346), the author mentions the "Tukey five-number summary" which includes:
Min
Max
Median (not Mean)
1st Quartile
3rd Quartile
This could be it; Marta's mention on what the percentage is could be as good as any!
However, I'd tell/ask the student: "what in the heck is this and why isn't it more descriptive?"
--
David Chapman
Research Associate, PhD Student
Dept of Urban Studies and Public Administration College of Business and Public Administration Old Dominion University
[hidden email]
On 8/15/06, Marta García-Granero <
[hidden email]> wrote:
> Hi
>
> SUr> I got this data from a student and he is asking about the three
> SUr> values of Dispersion (73%, 99 and 205). I don't have any other
> SUr> info and can't describe the three values of dispersion so please
> SUr> anyone know about then let me know.
>
> SUr> Avq. Min Max Dispersion
> SUr> Cost per day ($) 107 46 898 73%, 99 and 205
>
> In my opinion, 73% could be the coefficient of variation
> (100*SD/mean), and, perhaps, given that the data look quite skewed to
> the right, "99 and 205" could be the interquartilic range (IQR), that
> is: the interval formed by Q1 and Q3 (or P25 and P75, as you wish to
> call them).
>
> Just guessing...
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Regards,
> Dr. Marta García-Granero,PhD mailto:
[hidden email]
> Statistician
>
> ---
> "It is unwise to use a statistical procedure whose use one does not
> understand. SPSS syntax guide cannot supply this knowledge, and it is
> certainly no substitute for the basic understanding of statistics and
> statistical thinking that is essential for the wise choice of methods
> and the correct interpretation of their results".
>
> (Adapted from WinPepi manual - I'm sure Joe Abrahmson will not mind)
>
--
David Chapman
Research Associate
E. V. Williams Center for Real Estate and Economic Development College of Business and Public Administration Old Dominion University
[hidden email]
757-683-5352