MODULE 5

STANDARD DEVIATION OF A NORMAL DISTRIBUTION

AND THE Z-SCORE
Introduction

In Module 4-B you learned how to calculate the standard deviation for grouped data. What is
important is that you know what the value of a standard deviation means. Module 5 will introduce you
to the more important uses of the standard deviation in statistics applied to research.

I. Objectives: The readings in this lesson will enable you to:

1. read research reports involving mean and standard deviation with understanding.
2. Interpret standard deviation values correctly.

II. Anticipatory set: Read the extract in BOX A and answer the questions that follow.

BOX A
Results*
… On average, the heterosexual couples (n=68) had 1.81 television sets (SD = 0.99). but
some had only 1, and a few has as many as 5. They had 1.30 videocassette recorders
(SD=0.53, with a range from 1 to 3. They also had 1.30 RCDs (remote control devices)
(SD=0.68), with a range from 1-3. The typical home had basic cable television (with no
extra channels) or a satellite dish.
These individuals watched television quite often – on average almost daily for nearly
3 hours per day (M=2.77, SD = 1.48). During the week prior to the interview, they had on
average, watched television together on 4.87 days (SD=2.09) Nearly all, 94% (n=29), of
the women and 87% (n=27) of the men reported that, regarding watching television
with their partners, they were happy with the way things are….

*Extract from the study “Couples Watching Television: Gender, Power, and the Remote Control” by Alexis J.
Walker in Milinki, Andrea K. (Ed.). 2002. A Cross Section of Psychological Research. Los Angeles: Pyrczak
Publishing.

1. What descriptive statistical measures were used as reflected in the report?

Ans: , , , &
2. Of the three devices (television sets, video cassette recorders & remote control
devices) what is reported as the most variable?
3. Take note of how the findings are reported textually.

Remember:
 The standard deviation (SD) is the most useful index of variability. It is a single
number that represents the spread of a distribution. As with the mean, every
observation in the distribution is used to calculate it.
 The more spread out observations (raw data) are, the greater the standard
deviation. The close the observations are to the mean, the less spread out they are
hence the smaller the standard deviation.
III. Lesson Proper

READ:
A. The Standard Deviation of a Normal Distribution
The total area under the normal curve represents all the observations in a normal
distribution. In such a curve, the mean, median and mode are identical, so that the mean
falls at the exact center of the curve. It thus is also the most frequent observation in the
distribution. Because the curve is symmetrical, 50 percent of the observations must fall on
each side of the mean.
Here are some important facts about the normal distribution:
1. Fifty percent of all the observations (e.g. ages of respondents) fall on each side of
the mean.
2. In any normal distribution, 68 percent of the observations fall within one standard
deviation of the mean, half of these (34 percent) fall within one standard deviation
away from the mean and the other half within one standard deviation below the
mean.
3. Another 27 percent of the observations fall between one and two standard
deviations away from the mean. Hence 95 percent (68 percent plus 27 percent) fall
within two standard deviations of the mean.
4. In all. 99.7 percent of the observations fall within three standard deviations of the
mean. [The 68-95-99.7 rule]
B. The z-score and the Normal Curve
The simplest form of standard score is the z score. It expresses how far an
observation is from the mean in standard deviation units. A raw data (observation)
that is exactly on the mean correspondents to a z score of zero. A raw data that is
exactly one standard deviation above the mean equals a z score of +1, while a raw
data that is exactly one standard deviation below the mean equals a z score of -1.
Similarly, a raw data that is exactly two standard deviations above the mean equals
a z score of +2, and so forth. One z, therefore, equals one standard deviation (1z =
1SD), 2z = 2Sd, -0.5z = -0.5 SD, and so on.
C. Probability and z-Score
Another important characteristic of the normal distribution is that the percentages
associated with areas under the normal curve can be thought of as probabilities. A
probability is a percent stated in decimal form and refers to the likelihood of an
event occurring. For example, if there is a probability that an event will occur 25
percent of the time, this event can be said to have a probability of .25. Similarly, an
event that will probably occur 90 percent of the time is said to have a probability of
.90. More discussion of probabilities will come later in the course.

IV. Application: Do exercise M-5

EXERCISE M-5
Refer to any book in statistics and illustrate graphically: A. The standard deviation of a
normal distribution, the 68-95-99.7 rule; B. The z score and the normal curve; and C.
probability and z-score. [Three graphical illustrations].