Marketing Research and Insight Glossary

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What is a Trimmed mean?

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Trimmed mean Definition

Obtained by trimming a percent of the high and low ends of a distribution and finding the mean of the remaining distribution.

A trimmed mean in market research is a statistical average calculated by removing a specified percentage of extreme values (both high and low) from a data set. This method reduces the influence of outliers, providing a more reliable and representative measure of central tendency compared to the arithmetic mean.

How does trimmed mean work?

  1. Identify outliers: Determine the percentage of data points to exclude from both ends of the data set (e.g., 5% from the highest and lowest values).
  2. Remove extremes: Exclude the identified extreme values.
  3. Calculate the mean: Compute the average of the remaining data points.

The trimmed mean focuses on the central distribution of data. It mitigates the impact of anomalies or outliers and provides a balanced measure for skewed data sets.

Why is trimmed mean important?

Trimmed mean is crucial for analyzing data with outliers that could distort results. It offers a more accurate depiction of the typical or central value in a data set, ensuring that insights and decisions are based on reliable statistics.

Trimmed mean reduces the impact of extreme values that could skew analysis. It enhances the accuracy of data interpretation and provides a clearer understanding of typical consumer behaviors and preferences.

Who relies on trimmed mean?

Trimmed mean is used by:

  • Market researchers: To analyze data sets with potential outliers.
  • Statisticians: To ensure robust and unbiased statistical analysis.
  • Data analysts: To present accurate summaries of data trends.
  • Businesses: To make informed decisions based on reliable averages.

How does trimmed mean improve market research outcomes?

Trimmed mean increases reliability by producing averages that better represent the majority of the data. It minimizes skewness by reducing the influence of outliers or extreme values. Trimmed mean also supports robust insights by offering a clearer picture of trends and patterns within the central data distribution.