Yes, for example the median is a better measurement of central location than the mean for skewed distributions (incomes, test results).
> From: [email protected] > > Tukey did show that median and quantiles are often much more stable > than average.( f.e median polish and median smoothing in general) > > ------------------- > > From: Bo Jacoby > > We are solving a problem which should not be solved. The advantage > of Median and Quantiles, as opposed to Arithmetical Mean and Standard > Deviation, is that they can be evaluated without computing. Having a > computer at hand, this argument vanishes. > > > > --- Den søn 18/10/09 skrev Fraser Jackson > > > > > Statistical programs have a range of > > > alternatives for the quantile function. > > > The following script embodies forms > > > considered in a useful survey paper some years ago. It > > > requires further > > > functions to answer Devon's question but > > > does include some options worth considering. > > > > > > NB. Quantile functions ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
