Chapter 3 Z Scores the Normal Distribution Part

Chapter 3 Z Scores & the Normal Distribution Part 1

Z Scores § Number of standard deviations a score is above or below the mean § Formula to change a raw score to a Z score: Sign of z indicates whether score is above or below mean. Magnitude of z – how many SDs above/below Example in class:

Z Scores § Formula to change a Z score to a raw score: § Example?

Z scores • Distribution of Z scores – Mean = 0 – Standard deviation = 1 • It’s a standard scale, so z scores can be used to compare 2 scores from different distributions or original scales – Z= +3 represents score that is very deviant from the mean, no matter what the distribution

Z as common unit of comparison • Comparing SAT and ACT scores • Which is a higher score? Getting a 620 on the SAT-verbal or a 27 on the ACT-verbal? – Information about ACT and SAT M and SD: – Did this person do better on the SAT or ACT?

The Normal Distribution • In a normal curve (normal distribution), there will always be a standard % of scores between the mean and 1 and 2 standard deviations from the mean: – – 50% all scores fall above the mean, 50% below 34% betw M and +1 SD, 34% betw M and – 1 SD 14% betw +1 and +2 SD, 14% betw – 1 and – 2 SD 2% above +2 SD and below – 2 SD

The Normal Distribution • Can remember this as the ‘ 50 -34 -14 rule’ • Appendix A is the normal curve table with Z scores – Gives the precise % of scores between the mean (which has a Z score of 0) and any other Z score • What % of scores are betw M and z =. 75? – Table lists only positive Z scores, but since ND is symmetrical, same % for neg z scores (just look up its corresponding pos z)

Using the Z table: From z to % • Steps for figuring the % of scores above or below a particular raw or Z score: 1. Table uses z scores, so convert raw score to Z score (if necessary) 2. Draw normal curve, indicate where the Z score falls on it, shade in the area for which you are finding the % 3. Make rough estimate of shaded area’s percentage (using 50%-34%-14% rule): – what % does it look like the shaded area covers? (use your judgment – we’ll check on this later…)

(cont. ) 4. Find exact % using normal curve table – that is, look up the z score you calculated in step 1 and find the % associated with it. 5. If needed, add or subtract 50% from this percentage – since table only gives % between M and Z; if you’re interested in % above Z, subtract from 50% (see example) 6. Check to determine if your answer makes sense given the graph you drew in Step 3