u04d1 Importance of the Normal Distribution

Part 1: Howell identifies four reasons why the normal distribution is one of the most important
distributions you will encounter. Discuss these four reasons while paying attention to the
emphasis that we are making assumptions in regard to the normality of our distributions.
According to Howell, (2008) a normal distribution has specific qualities that demonstrate a bell
shaped form. The normal distribution is sometimes referred to as the Gaussian distribution
named after the German mathematician, Carl Frederick Gauss, who derived it mathematically as
the probability of the error of measurements (Howell, 2008). Howell lists four reasons why the
normal distribution is important:
1) Many dependent variables resemble a normal distribution of the sample population.
It is commonly held among researchers and educators that many physical, biological and social
phenomena are normally distributed. Consequently it essentially represents one of the
fundamental laws of natural sciences and more specifically an empirically verified truth
regarding the general nature of reality.
2) If a variable is assumed to be at least approximately normally distributed, inferences can be
made regarding the values of the variable.
Because the normal distribution is symmetrical, the mean, median and mode are identical.
Therefore, measurements of area and probability can be equated (Howell, 2008). As a result,
assuming a normal distribution, certain probability inferences can be made regarding a random
sample of a variable in relationship to the mean and standard deviation. For example assuming a
normal distribution, 68% (approximately two thirds) of the distribution lies within 1 standard
deviation from the mean (m), 95% within 2 standard deviations from m, and 99.5% within 3
standard deviations from m.
3) A theoretical distribution of a hypothetical set of sample means with an infinite number of
samples will result in a normal distribution.
As stated above, this assumption is based upon the notion that a normal distribution represents
the widely held empirically verified ontological truth that an infinite number of samples will
typically result in a normal distribution. While it is also true that some variables are only
approximately normally distributed, some statistical tests still work well provided the sample
size is large enough. This is based upon the principle that as the sample size increases the shape
of the sampling distribution approaches normality. This is called the Central Limit Theorem
(Howell, 2008, p. 281).
4) Most statistical procedures are derived from the assumption that variables are normally
distributed.

Many kinds of statistical tests (i.e. t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square, etc.) are derived from the
assumption that variables are normally distributed. Statistical tests tend to be very accurate when
the sample population is normally distributed. Again, even if the variables are not normally
distributed, if the sample size is large enough, the shape of the sample distribution will approach
normality.
Part 2: How are standard scores related to the normal distribution? Discuss how you might use
standard scores in your professional or academic future.
Using the z formula, any mean and variance of a distribution can be converted to a mean of 0
and a standard deviation of 1 resulting in a normal distribution. This conversion is referred to as
standard scores. As an educator or psychological practitioner, I would most likely encounter IQ
test standard scores derived from raw scores that are linearly transformed into a distribution with
a mean of 100 and standard deviation of 15 or 16 (Howell, 2008, p. 117).
Because the standard normal distribution is extensively tabled, z scores in this case can then be
converted into percentile IQ scores. These scores are useful for educators or researchers in
determining a relatively accurate assessment of an individuals cognitive functioning, intellectual
ability, aptitude, thinking skills and general ability.
Anthony Rhodes
General Psychology PhD

References

Howell, D.C. (2008). Fundamental statistics for the behavioral sciences (6th ed.). Belmont, CA:
Thomson Wadsworth. ISBN: 9780495099000.