Question

Problem Set 3.3: Understanding Standard Deviations in a Chart Criterion: Interpret standard deviations in a chart. Instructions: Read the following and answer the question based on the data in the chart. Data: Acceptable height preferences. Salska and colleagues (2008) studied height preferences among dating partners. In their first study, they reviewed Yahoo Personals for heterosexual individuals living within 250 miles of Los Angeles, California, and recorded the acceptable range of heights for their dating partners. The following table lists some of the results. Preferences Women Men м SD м SD Shortest acceptable height, inches 68.9 2.6 60.6 3.7 Tallest acceptable height, inches 75.3 2.2 69.8 2.7 1. Overall, did men or women show greater variability in their responses? Explain.

Response: Although height was similar in regard to tallest height, men showed greater variability overall. Is this correct? Or am I overthinking the question?

Answer 1

To check the amount of variability we have to calculate the coefficient of variation for both men and women

for shortest acceptable height inches

coefficient of variation for Women

$=\frac{\sigma }{\bar{x}}$

$=\frac{2.6 }{68.9}$

=0.038

coefficient of variation for Men

$=\frac{\sigma }{\bar{x}}$

$=\frac{3.7 }{60.6}$

=0.061

The greater coefficient of variation show greater variability in case of Men

for tallest acceptable height

coefficient of variation for Women

$=\frac{\sigma }{\bar{x}}$

22 753

=0.029

coefficient of variation for Men

$=\frac{\sigma }{\bar{x}}$

$=\frac{2.7 }{69.8}$

= 0.038

here also Men show greater variability as compared to women