STATISTICS IN PSYCHOLOGY 59

MEASURES OF DISPERSION
OR
MEASURES OF SCATTERNESS
OR
MEASURES OF VARIABILITY
The Spread-ness or variability about the average is called as Dispersion and the quantity
that measures the Dispersion is called as Measures of Dispersion.
…………………………………………
TYPES OF MEASURES OF DISPERSION:
There are two types of Measures of Dispersion
(i) Absolute Measure of Dispersion
(ii) Relative Measure of Dispersion
(i) ABSOLUTE MEASURES OF DISPERSION:
It measures the dispersion in terms of the same units or in the square of units as the
units of the data.
e.g. if the units of the data are rupees, meters etc., then the units of the measures of
dispersion will be also rupees, meters etc.
The important types of Absolute Measures of Dispersion are;
(i) The Range
(ii) The semi-interquartile Range OR Quartile Deviation
(iii) The Mean Deviation OR Average Deviation
(iv) The Variance and Standard Deviation

(ii) RELATIVE MEASURES OF DISPERSION:

It is expressed in terms of ratio, co-efficient or percentage, and is independent from
the units of measurement. It is used for the comparison of data of different nature.
The important types of Relative Measures of Dispersion are;
(i) Coefficient of Range OR Coefficient of Dispersion
(ii) Coefficient of Quartile Deviation
(iii) Coefficient of Mean Deviation
(iv) Coefficient of Variation
…………………………………………
IMPORTANT PROPERTIES OF MEASURE OF DISPERSION:
It is desirable to have the Measure of Dispersion
1. in the same units as the units of observations.
2. zero when all the observations are same.
3. remain same by changing the origin that is independent of origin.

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4. multiplied or divided by the constant, when each observation is multiplied or

divided by that constant that is change by change the scale.
…………………………………………
RANGE:
The Range is defined as “the difference between the largest and smallest observations in
a set of data”.
i.e. R = Xm − X0
where X m = Largest Observation; X 0 = Smallest Observation
Its Relative Measure of Dispersion is;
Xm − X0
Coefficient of Range =
Xm + X0
…………………………………………
Example# 1: Calculate the range from the Heights (in cms). Also find coefficient of range?
84.2, 87.5, 80.7, 92.4, 91.9, 86.5, 85.4
Solution:
Here X m = 92.4 and X 0 = 80.7
Then R = Xm − X0
R = 92.4 − 80.7
R = 11.7 cm
Xm − X0
And Coefficient of Range =
Xm + X0
92.4 − 80.7 11.7
Coefficient of Range = =
92.4 + 80.7 173.1
Coefficient of Range = 0.067
…………………………………………
Example# 2: Find the Range and Coefficient of Range from the following data of student’s
Marks.
87, 91, 89, 88, 89, 91, 87, 92, 90, 98
D.Y.S.
…………………………………………
RANGE: (For frequency distribution OR For grouped data)
R = Xm − X0
Where X m = Upper class boundary of the Highest class OR Class Marks of the Highest class;
And X 0 = Lower class boundary of the Lowest class OR Class Marks of the Lowest class
…………………………………………

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Example# 3: The following frequency distribution gives the weights of 90 cotton bales;
Weights 70 – 74 75 – 79 80 – 84 85 – 89 90 – 94 95 – 99
f 1 7 17 29 20 16
Calculate the Range and Coefficient of Range.
Solution:
Weight Mid Points OR Class Marks
f
C–I X
70 – 74 1 72 = X0
75 – 79 7 77
80 – 84 17 82
85 – 89 29 87
90 – 94 20 92
95 – 99 16 97 = Xm
 f = 90
R = Xm − X0
R = 97 − 72
R = 25
Xm − X0
And Coefficient of Range =
Xm + X0
97 − 72 25
Coefficient of Range = = = 0.15
97 + 72 169
…………………………………………

Example# 4: Find the Range and Coefficient of Range from the following data;
Weight (kg) 50 – 53 53 – 56 56 – 59 59 – 62 62 – 65 65 – 68 68 – 71 71 – 74 74 – 77 77 – 80

No. of Students 23 24 39 46
54 66 49 38 21 12
D.Y.S.
…………………………………………
INTERQUARTILE RANGE:
The Difference of the 3rd and 1st Quartiles is called Interquartile Range;
i.e. Interquartile Range = Q3 − Q1

…………………………………………
THE SEMI-INTERQUARTILE RANGE OR QUARTILE DEVIATION:
The Semi-interquartile Range or Quartile Deviation is defined as “The half of the
difference of the 3rd and 1st Quartiles”.
Q − Q1
i.e. Q. D. = 3
2
Its Relative Measure of Dispersion is;

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Q3 − Q1
Coefficient of Q.D. =
Q3 + Q1

 n +1 
th

Where Q1 = value of   observation

 4 
 3(n + 1) 
th

And Q3 = value of   observation

 4 
…………………………………………
Example# 5: Calculate the Quartile Deviation and its Relative measure of dispersion from the
following data;
88.03, 94.50, 94.90, 95.05, 84.60
Solution:
Arranging the data in ascending order
84.60, 88.03, 94.50, 94.90, 95.05
 n +1 
th

Q1 = value of   observation
 4 
 5 +1 
th

Q1 = value of   observation
 4 
th
6
Q1 = value of   observation
4
Q1 = value of (1.5)th observation
Q1 = value of 1st obsevation + d (value of 2nd observation − value of 1st obsevation)
Q1 = 84.60 + 0.5(88.03 − 84.60)
Q1 = 84.60 + 0.5(3.43) = 86.31

 3(n + 1) 
th

And Q3 = value of   observation

 4 
 3(5 + 1) 
th

Q3 = value of   observation
 4 
th
 18 
Q3 = value of   observation
4
Q3 = value of (4.5)th observation
Q3 = value of 4th obsevation + d (value of 5th observation − value of 4th obsevation)
Q3 = 94.90 + 0.5(95.05 − 94.90)
Q3 = 94.90 + 0.5(0.15) = 94.98
Q3 − Q1
So Q. D. =
2

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94.98 − 86.31 8.67

Q.D. = =
2 2
Q.D. = 4.3 cms
Q3 − Q1
And Coefficient of Q.D. =
Q3 + Q1
94.98 − 86.31 8.67
Coefficient of Q.D. = = = 0.05
94.98 + 86.31 181.29
…………………………………………
QUARTILE DEVIATION: (For Grouped data)
Q3 − Q1
Q. D. =
2
h n 
Where Q1 = l +  −c
f 4 
h  3n 
And Q3 = l +  −c
f  4 
…………………………………………
Example# 6: Calculate Quartile deviation and Coefficient of Quartile deviation from the
following data;
Height (cm) 86 – 90 91 – 95 96 – 100 101 – 105 106 – 110 111 – 115
f 6 4 10 6 3 1
Solution:
Height (cm)
f C–B c. f.
C–I
86 – 90 6 85.5 – 90.5 6
91 – 95 4 90.5 – 95.5 6 + 4 = 10 Q1
96 – 100 10 95.5 – 100.5 10 + 10 = 20
101 – 105 6 100.5 – 105.5 20 + 6 = 26 Q3
106 – 110 3 105.5 – 110.5 29
111 – 115 1 110.5 – 115.5 30
 f = n = 30

h n 
Q1 = l +  −c
f 4 
n 30
= = 7.5th observation
4 4
Therefore, Q1 class is 90.5 – 95.5
l = 90.5, h = 95.5 − 90.5 = 5, f = 4, c=6

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5
Q1 = 90.5 + ( 7.5 − 6)
4
5 7.5
Q1 = 90.5 + (1.5) = 90.5 +
4 4
Q1 = 90.5 + 1.875 = 92.375 cm

h  3n 
Q3 = l +  −c
f  4 
3n 3(30)
= = 22.5th observation
4 4
Therefore, Q3 class is 100.5 – 105.5
l = 105.5, h = 105.5 − 100.5 = 5, f = 6, c = 20
5
Q3 = 100.5 + ( 22.5 − 20)
6
5 12.5
Q3 = 100.5 + ( 2.5) = 100.5 +
6 6
Q3 = 100.5 + 2.083 = 102.583 cm

Q3 − Q1
So Q. D. =
2
102.583 − 92.375 10.208
Q.D. = =
2 2
Q.D. = 5.104 cm
Q3 − Q1
And Coefficient of Q.D. =
Q3 + Q1
102.583 − 92.375 10.208
Coefficient of Q.D. = = = 0.05
102.583 + 92.375 194.958
…………………………………………
Example# 7: The following table gives the marks of students;
Marks 30 – 39 40 – 49 50 – 59 60 – 69 70 – 79
f 8 87 190 86 20
Calculate Quartile Deviation and Coefficient of Quartile Deviation.
Example# 8: Find the Quartile Deviation and Coefficient of Quartile Deviation from the
following data;
Weight (kg) 50 – 53 53 – 56 56 – 59 59 – 62 62 – 65 65 – 68 68 – 71 71 – 74 74 – 77 77 – 80
No. of Students 23 24 39 46 54 66 49 38 21 12
D.Y.S.
…………………………………………

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MEAN DEVIATION:
The Mean Deviation is defined as “The Arithmetic mean of Absolute deviations about
Mean or Median”.
 X −X
i.e. M .D.( mean ) =
n

 X −X
OR M .D.( median ) =
n
Its Relative Measure of Dispersion is;
M .D.( mean ) M .D.( median )
Coefficient of M.D. = OR
Mean Median
…………………………………………
Example# 9: Calculate the Mean Deviation from mean and its Relative measure of dispersion
from the following data of marks of 9 students;
45, 32, 37, 46, 39, 36, 41, 48, 36
Solution:
X X −X X −X
45 45 - 40 = 5 5
32 32 - 40= -8 8
37 37 - 40 = -3 3
46 6 6
39 -1 1
36 -4 4
41 1 1
48 8 8
36 -4 4
 X = 360  X − X = 40
 X −X
M .D.( mean ) = ..........(i )
n
 X 360
As X = = = 40 Marks
n 9
Putting values in equation (i)
40
M .D.( mean ) = = 4.4 Marks
9
M .D.( mean ) 4.4
Coefficient of M.D. = = = 0.11
Mean 40
…………………………………………
Example# 10: Calculate the Mean Deviation from Median and its Relative measure of
dispersion from the following data of marks of 9 students;

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45, 32, 37, 46, 39, 36, 41, 48, 36

Solution:
Arranging the data in ascending order
32, 36, 36, 37, 39, 41, 45, 46, 48
 n +1 
th

X = value of   observation
 2 
 9 +1 
th

X = value of   observation
 2 
X = value of ( 5 ) observation
th

X = 39 Marks

X X −X X −X
45 45 - 39 = 6 6
32 32 - 39= -7 7
37 37 - 39 = -2 2
46 7 7
39 0 0
36 -3 3
41 2 2
48 9 9
36 -3 3
X  X − X = 39
 X −X
M .D.( median ) =
n
39
M .D.( median ) = = 4.3 Marks
9

4.3 M .D.( median )

Coefficient of M.D. = = 0.11 =
Median 39
…………………………………………
Note: (i)  X −X  X −X
(ii) M .D.( median )  M .D.( mean )
…………………………………………
Example# 11: Find the mean deviation from the following data. Also find Coefficient of M.D.?
88.03, 94.50, 94.90, 95.05, 84.60
D.Y.S.
…………………………………………

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MEAN DEVIATION: (For Grouped data)

 f X −X
M .D.( mean ) =
f
 f X −X
OR M .D.( median ) =
f
…………………………………………
Example# 12: Calculate Mean deviation and Coefficient of Mean deviation from the following
frequency distribution of weight of apples;
Weight
65 – 84 85 – 104 105 – 124 125 – 144 145 – 164 165 – 184 185 – 204
(grams)
f 9 10 17 10 5 4 5
Solution:
Weight (grams) X −X f X −X
C–I
f X fX X −X
65 – 84 9 74.5 670.5 -48 48 432
85 – 104 10 94.5 945.0 -28 28 280
105 – 124 17 114.5 1946.5 -8 8 136
125 – 144 10 134.5 1345.0 12 12 120
145 – 164 5 154.5 772.5 32 32 160
165 – 184 4 174.5 698.0 52 52 208
185 – 204 5 194.5 972.5 72 72 360
 f = 60  fX = 7350  f X − X = 1696
 f X −X
M .D.( mean ) = ..........(i )
f
 fX 7350
As X = = = 122.5 grams
f 60
Putting values in equation (i)
1696
M .D.( mean ) = = 28.77 grams
60
M .D.( mean ) 28.77
Coefficient of M.D. = = = 0.23
Mean 122.5
…………………………………………
Example# 13: Calculate Mean deviation from Median and Coefficient of Mean deviation from
the following frequency distribution of weight of apples;
Weight
65 – 84 85 – 104 105 – 124 125 – 144 145 – 164 165 – 184 185 – 204
(grams)
f 9 10 17 10 5 4 5

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Solution:
Weight
(grams) f C–B c . f. X X −X X −X f X −X
C–I
65 – 84 9 64.5 – 84.5 9 74.5 -42.9 42.9 386.1
85 – 104 10 84.5 – 104.5 19 94.5 -22.9 22.9 229.0
105 – 124 17 104.5 – 124.5 36 114.5 -2.9 2.9 49.3
125 – 144 10 124.5 – 144.5 46 134.5 17.1 17.1 171.0
145 – 164 5 144.5 – 164.5 51 154.5 37.1 37.1 185.5
165 – 184 4 164.5 – 184.5 55 174.5 57.1 57.1 228.4
185 – 204 5 184.5 – 204.5 60 194.5 77.1 77.1 385.5
 f = 60  f X − X = 1634.8
 f X −X
M .D.( median ) = ..........(i )
f
hn 
As X =l+  −c
f 2 
n 60
= = 30th observation
2 2
Therefore, Median class is 104.5 – 124.5
l = 104.5, h = 124.5 − 104.5 = 20, f = 17, c = 19
20
X = 104.5 + (30 −19)
17
20
X = 104.5 + (11)
17
220
X = 104.5 + = 104.5 + 12.9 = 117.4 grams
17
Putting values in equation (i)
1634.8
M .D.( median ) = = 27.25 grams
60
M .D.( median ) 27.25
Coefficient of M.D. = = = 0.23
Median 117.4
…………………………………………
Example# 14: Calculate Mean deviation from mean and median. Also find Coefficient of Mean
deviation from the following data;
Height (cm) 86 – 90 91 – 95 96 – 100 101 – 105 106 – 110
f 6 4 10 6 3

Example# 15: The following table gives the marks of students;

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Marks 30 – 39 40 – 49 50 – 59 60 – 69 70 – 79
f 8 87 190 86 20
Calculate Mean Deviation and Coefficient of Mean Deviation.
Example# 16: Find the Mean Deviation and Mean Coefficient of dispersion from the following
data;
Weight (kg) 50 – 53 53 – 56 56 – 59 59 – 62 62 – 65 65 – 68 68 – 71 71 – 74 74 – 77 77 – 80
No. of Students 23 24 39 46 54 66 49 38 21 12
D.Y.S.
…………………………………………
STANDARD DEVIATION:
The Standard Deviation (S.D.) is defined as “The Positive square root of the Arithmetic
mean of squared deviations about Mean”. It is denoted by S for sample data.

( )
2
 X −X
i.e. S=
n
2
X2 X 
OR S= − 
n  n 
…………………………………………
STANDARD DEVIATION: (For Grouped data)
( )
2
 f X −X
S=
f
2
 fX 2   fX 
OR S= − 
f  f 
…………………………………………
VARIANCE:
The Variance is defined as “The Arithmetic mean of squared deviations about Mean”. It
is denoted by S2 for sample data.

( )
2
 X −X
i.e. S2 =
n
2
X2 X 
OR S2 = − 
n  n 

Its Relative Measure of Dispersion is;

S
 100
Coefficient of variation (C.V.) =
X
…………………………………………

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VARIANCE: (For Grouped data)

( )
2
 f X −X
S2 =
f
2
 fX   fX 
2
OR S= − 
f  f 
…………………………………………
Example# 17: Calculate the variance and Standard deviation from the following data of marks
of 9 students. Also find Coefficient of variation.
45, 32, 37, 46, 39, 36, 41, 48, 36
Solution:
X X2
45 2025
32 1024
37 1369
46 2116
39 1521
36 1296
41 1681
48 2304
36 1296
 X = 360  X = 14632
2

2
X2 X 
S2 = − 
n  n 
2
14632  360 
S =
2
− 
9  9 
S 2 = 1625.78 − ( 40 )
2

S 2 = 1625.78 − 1600
S 2 = 25.78 ( marks )2
And S = 25.78 = 5.08 Marks
 X 360
X= = = 40 Marks
n 9
S 5.08
Then C .V . = 100 = 100
X 40
C .V . = 12.7%
Example# 18: Calculate the Standard deviation and variance from the following data. Also find
Coefficient of variation.
10. 8, 7, 9, 5, 12, 8, 6, 8, 2
Example# 19: Find the standard deviation from the following data.

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88.03, 94.50, 94.90, 95.05, 84.60

D.Y.S.
…………………………………………
Example# 20: Calculate Standard deviation and variance from the following frequency
distribution of weight of apples. Also found coefficient of variation.
Weight
65 – 84 85 – 104 105 – 124 125 – 144 145 – 164 165 – 184 185 – 204
(grams)
f 9 10 17 10 5 4 5
Solution:
Weight
(grams) f X fX f X2
C–I
65 – 84 9 74.5 670.5 49952.25
85 – 104 10 94.5 945.0 89302.50
105 – 124 17 114.5 1946.5 222874.25
125 – 144 10 134.5 1345.0 180902.50
145 – 164 5 154.5 772.5 119351.25
165 – 184 4 174.5 698.0 121801.00
185 – 204 5 194.5 972.5 189151.25
 f = 60  fX = 7350.0  fX 2 = 973335.00

2
 fX 2   fX 
S= − 
f  f 
2
973335.00  7350.0 
S= − 
60  60 
S = 16222.25 − 15006.25
S = 1216 = 34.87 grams
S 2 = ( 34.87 ) = 1216 ( grams )2
2
And
 fX 7350.0
As X = = = 122.5 grams
f 60
S 34.87
Then C .V . = 100 = 100
X 122.5
C .V . = 28.5%
…………………………………………
Example# 21: Calculate Standard deviation and variance from the following data. Also find
Coefficient of variation?
Height (cm) 86 – 90 91 – 95 96 – 100 101 – 105 106 – 110
f 6 4 10 6 3
Example# 22: The following table gives the marks of students;

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Marks 30 – 39 40 – 49 50 – 59 60 – 69 70 – 79
f 8 87 190 86 20
Calculate Standard Deviation and Coefficient of variation.
Example# 23: Find the variance and Coefficient of variation from the following data;
Weight (kg) 50 – 53 53 – 56 56 – 59 59 – 62 62 – 65 65 – 68 68 – 71 71 – 74 74 – 77 77 – 80
No. of Students 23 24 39 46 54 66 49 38 21 12
D.Y.S.
…………………………………………
PROPERTIES OF VARIANCE AND STANDARD DEVIATION:
(i) If “a” is a constant, then;
Var (a) = 0 and S.D.(a) = 0
(ii) Variance and S.D. does not change by changing the origin i.e., if “a” is a constant and X
is a random variable, then;
Var ( X  a) = Var ( X )
and S.D.( X  a) = S.D.( X )
(iii) Variance and S.D. change by changing the scale i.e., if “a” is a constant and X is a
random variable, then;
Var (aX ) = a 2Var ( X )
and S.D.(aX ) = aS.D.( X )
(iv) If X and Y are two independent random variables, then;
Var ( X  Y ) = Var ( X ) + Var (Y )
and S .D.( X  Y ) = Var ( X ) + Var (Y )
…………………………………………
Example# 24: The scores obtained by five students on a set of examination papers are 70, 50,
60, 70, 50. These scores are changed by (i) adding 10 points to all scores (ii) increasing all scores
by 10%. What effect will these changes have on the mean and on the standard deviation?
Solution:
X X2
70 4900
50 2500
60 3600
70 4900
50 2500
 X = 300  X = 18400
2

 X 300
X= = = 60
n 5
2
X2 X 
Sx = − 
n  n 

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2
18400  300 
Sx = − 
5  5 
S x = 8.94
(i) As 10 points added to all scores, i.e.
Y = X + 10
Then Y = X + 10
Y = 60 + 10
Y = 70
Therefore, mean is also added by 10 points
And S .D.(Y ) = S .D.( X )
S .D.(Y ) = 8.94
Standard deviation remains unchanged, because standard deviation does not change by
changing the origin.

(ii) As all scores increased by 10%, i.e.

110
Z= X
100
110
Then Z = X
100
110
Z= (60)
100
Z = 66
Therefore, mean is also increased by 10%
110
And S .D.( Z ) = S .D.( X )
100
110
S .D.( Z ) = (8.94) = 9.83
100
Therefore standard deviation also increased by 10% , because standard deviation change by
changing the scale.
…………………………………………
Coefficient of Variation:
The coefficient of variation (C.V.) is defined as “The percentage ratio of the Standard
deviation and the Arithmetic mean”.
S
i.e. Coefficient of variation (C.V.) = 100
X
It is a pure number and used to compare the variability of two or more than two sets of data
which are measured in different units.
…………………………………………

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Note:
(i) Which distribution has greater mean, that is better.
(ii) Which distribution has greater S.D., that has greater absolute dispersion.
(iii) Which distribution has greater C.V., that has greater relative dispersion.
(iv) Which distribution has smaller C.V., that is more consistent.
…………………………………………
Example# 25: The following are the scores made by two batsmen A and B in a set series of
innings;
A 12 15 6 73 7 19 199 36 84 29
B 47 12 76 48 4 51 37 48 13 0
(i) Who is better as a run getter? (ii) Who is the more consistent player?
Solution:
XA XB X A2 X B2
12 47 144 2209
15 12 225 144
6 76 36 5776
73 48 5329 2304
7 4 49 16
19 51 361 2601
199 37 39601 1369
36 48 1296 2304
84 13 7056 169
29 0 841 0
480 336 54938 16892
Batsman A
 X A 480
XA = = = 48 scores
n 10
2
 X A2   X A 
SA = − 
n  n 
2
54938  480 
SA = −  = 56.48 Scores
10  10 
S 56.48
C .V .( A) = A 100 = 100
XA 48
C .V .( A) = 117.7%

Batsman B
 X B 336
XB = = = 33.6 scores
n 10
2
 X B2   X B 
SB = − 
n  n 

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STATISTICS IN PSYCHOLOGY 75

2
16892  336 
SA = −  = 23.67 Scores
10  10 
S 23.67
C .V .( B) = B 100 = 100
XB 33.6
C .V .( B) = 70.45%
(i) Batsman A is better as a run getter, because he has greater mean.
(ii) Batsman B is more consistent, because he has smaller coefficient of variation.
…………………………………………
Example# 26: Two candidates X and Y at the B. Com (H) examination obtained the following
marks in ten papers. Which of the candidate showed a more consistent performance?
Paper I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
X 58 49 76 80 47 72 61 59 77 48
Y 39 38 86 72 75 69 57 49 83 66
D.Y.S.
…………………………………………
Example# 27: A manufacturer of television tubes has two types of tubes A and B. The tubes
have respective mean life times x A = 1495 hours and x B = 1895 hours ; and standard deviations
S A = 280 hours and S B = 310 hours . Which tube has the greater (i) Absolute dispersion (ii)
Relative dispersion
Solution:
Tube A Tube B
xA = 1495 hours, S A = 280 hours xB = 1895 hours, S B = 310 hours
SA 310
C .V .( A) = 100 C .V .( B) = 100
XA 1895
280 S
C .V .( A) = 100 C .V .( B ) = B 100
1495 XB
C .V .( A) = 18.72% C .V .( B) = 16.36%
(i) Tube B has greater Absolute dispersion, because it has greater S.D.
(ii) Tube A has greater Relative dispersion, because it has greater C.V.
…………………………………………
Karl Pearson’s Coefficient of Skewness:
Mean − Mode
Sk =
S
3 ( Mean − Median )
OR Sk =
S

SUBJECT CODE: APSY-357

 STATISTICS IN PSYCHOLOGY 76

Bowley’s Coefficient of Skewness:

Q1 + Q3 − 2Median
Sk =
Q3 − Q1
…………………………………………
Note:
(i) If Sk = 0, then distribution is symmetrical.
(ii) If Sk > 0, then distribution is Positively skewed.
(iii) If Sk < 0, then distribution is Negatively skewed.
…………………………………………
Example# 28: Calculate Skewness by (i) the Pearson method (ii) the Bowley’s method from the
following frequency distribution and interpret the result.
Ages (years) 15 – 19 20 – 24 25 – 29 30 – 34 35 – 39 40 – 44 45 – 49 50 – 54
No. of Men 29 176 208 173 82 40 15 3
Solution:
Weight
(grams) f X fX f X2 C–B c.f.
C–I
15 – 19 29 17 493 8381 14.5 – 19.5 29
20 – 24 176 22 3872 85184 19.5 – 24.5 205
25 – 29 208 27 5616 151632 24.5 – 29.5 413
30 – 34 173 32 5536 177152 29.5 – 34.5 586
35 – 39 82 37 3034 112258 34.5 – 39.5 668
40 – 44 40 42 1680 70560 39.5 – 44.5 708
45 – 49 15 47 705 33135 44.5 – 49.5 723
50 – 54 3 52 156 8112 49.5 – 54.5 726
-  f = n = 726 - 21092 646414 - -

(i) Karl Pearson Coefficient of Skewness

Mean − Mode
Sk = ...................(i )
S
 fX 21092
Mean = = = 29.05 Years
f 726
2
 fX 2   fX 
S= − 
f  f 
2
646414  21092 
S= −  = 6.82 Years
726  726 

Mode = l +
( f m − f1 ) h
( f m − f1 ) + ( f m − f 2 )

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STATISTICS IN PSYCHOLOGY 77

Model class is 24.5 – 29.5, because it has maximum frequency

l = 24.5, f m = 208, f1 = 176, f 2 = 173, h = 29.5 − 24.5 = 5
(208 − 176)
Mode = 24.5 + 5
(208 − 176) + (208 − 173)
32
Mode = 24.5 + 5
32 + 35
Mode = 26.89 Years
Putting values in equation (i)
29.05 − 26.89
Sk = = 0.31
6.82
Because Sk > 0, therefore given distribution is Positively skewed.
OR
Karl Pearson Coefficient of Skewness
3 ( Mean − Median )
Sk = ...................(i)
S
 fX 21092
Mean = = = 29.05 Years
f 726
2
 fX 2   fX 
S= − 
f  f 
2
646414  21092 
S= −  = 6.82 Years
726  726 
h n 
Median = l + −c
f  2 
n 726
= = 363th observation
2 2
Therefore, median class is 24.5 – 29.5
l = 24.5 h = 29.5 − 24.5 = 5, f = 208, c = 205
5
Median = 24.5 + ( 363 − 205)
208
5
Median = 24.5 + (158)
208
Median = 28.30 Years
Putting values in equation (i)
3 ( 29.05 − 28.30 )
Sk = = 0.33
6.82
Because Sk > 0, therefore given distribution is Positively skewed.
(ii) Bowley’s Coefficient of Skewness

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STATISTICS IN PSYCHOLOGY 78

Q1 + Q3 − 2Median
Sk = ...................(i )
Q3 − Q1
h n 
Q1 = l + −c
f  4 
n 726
= = 181.5th observation
4 4
Therefore, Q1 class is 19.5 – 24.5
l = 19.5 h = 24.5 − 19.5 = 5, f = 176, c = 29
5
Q1 = 19.5 + (181.5 − 29)
176
Q1 = 23.83 Years
h  3n 
Q3 = l + −c
f  4 
3n 3(726)
= = 544.5th observation
4 4
Therefore Q3 class is 29.5 – 34.5
l = 29.5 h = 34.5 − 29.5 = 5, f = 173, c = 413
5
Q3 = 29.5 + (544.5 − 413)
173
Q3 = 33.30 Years
h n 
Median = l + −c
f  2 
n 726
= = 363th observation
2 2
Therefore, median class is 24.5 – 29.5
l = 24.5 h = 29.5 − 24.5 = 10, f = 208, c = 205
5
𝑀𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛 = 24.5 + 208 (363 − 205) = 28.30 𝑌𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠
Putting values in equation (i)
23.83 + 33.30 − 2(28.30) 0.53
Sk = =
33.30 − 23.83 9.47
Sk = 0.06
Because Sk > 0, therefore given distribution is Positively skewed.
…………………………………………
Example# 29: Calculate Skewness by (i) the Pearson method (ii) the Bowley’s method from the
following frequency distribution and interpret the result.
Marks 30 – 39 40 – 49 50 – 59 60 – 69 70 – 79
f 8 87 190 86 20
D.Y.S.

SUBJECT CODE: APSY-357

STATISTICS IN PSYCHOLOGY 79

Example# 30: What can you say of the skewness in each of the following cases?
(i) The median is 49.21 while the two quartiles are 37.15 and 61.27
(ii) Mean = 1403 and Mode = 1487.

Solution:
(i) Given Median = 49.21, Q1 = 37.15 and Q3 = 61.27
Bowley’s Coefficient of Skewness
Q + Q3 − 2Median
Sk = 1
Q3 − Q1
Putting the values;
37.15 + 61.27 − 2(49.21)
Sk =
61.27 − 37.15
98.42 − 98.42 0
Sk = =
30.12 30.12
Sk = 0
Because Sk = 0, therefore given distribution is Symmetrical.
(ii) Given Mean = 1403 and Mode = 1487
Because Mean < Mode, therefore given distribution is Negatively skewed.
…………………………………………
Example# 31: The mean, mode and standard deviation of the weekly earnings of a random
sample of women workers from a locality are 3133.33, 2804.35 and 796.70 respectively.
Calculate the coefficient of skewness and interpret the result.
D.Y.S.
…………………………………………

SUBJECT CODE: APSY-357