There is more than one way to measure skewness, and with Fisher's
measure (based on the third moment about the mean), it is quite possible to
have mean > median with negative skewness or mean < median with positive
skewness. The magnitude of skewness needs to be considered in standardized
units, not absolute units. Kurtosis is based on the fourth moment about the
mean, and is not so simply related to "peakedness" as you suggest. I'll
send Ronny a document addressing skewness and kurtosis with references once
I am back in the office. Some would argue that it is more related to
"fat-tailedness."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++ Karl L. Wuensch, Department of Psychology, East Carolina University,
Greenville NC 27858-4353 Voice: 252-328-4102 Fax: 252-328-6283
[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://core.ecu.edu/psyc/wuenschk/klw.htm
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