The 365 Data Science team is proud to invite you to our own community forum. A very well built system to support your queries, questions and give the chance to show your knowledge and help others in their path of becoming Data Science specialists.
Ask
Anybody can ask a question
Answer
Anybody can answer
Vote
The best answers are voted up and moderated by our team

Why do we use Coefficient of Variation and when is standard deviation used?

Back to all questions

Why do we use Coefficient of Variation and when is standard deviation used?

9 months ago
Vote Up Vote Down
0
Votes
1
Answer
#, #, #
1 Answer

365 Team 9 months ago
Vote Up Vote Down
0
Votes

Hi Titus,
 
The standard deviation is a measure of dispersion. It is the average difference (or gap) of observation from the mean of the data. Its unit of measurement is the unit of the original data (e.g., cm, kg, m, or km).
 
On the other hand, the coefficient of variation is the ratio between the standard deviation and its mean. It’s unit-less (do not carry the unit of the original data). Hence, the variation or dispersion of one data set can be compared with other data set with the same or different unit of measurement. Example, the variation of weights of seeds can we compared with variation of distance of trees in an area.
 
Hope this helps.
Best,
The 365 Team

You must to answer this question.

Not the answer you are looking for? Browse other questions tagged #, #, #.