Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

• OpenStax Textbook: Chapter 2, 6, 7
• Lesson
• Minimum of 1 scholarly source

In your reference for this assignment, be sure to include both your text/class materials AND your outside reading(s).

Initial Post Instructions

Many variables in medicine follow a normal distribution where there are approximately an equal number of values below the mean as above the mean. Describe two variables that you work with that would probably follow a normal distribution. Also note which of the two variables would be likely to have a larger standard deviation and why.

Follow-Up Post Instructions

Respond to at least one peer. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.

Writing Requirements

• Minimum of 2 posts (1 initial & 1 follow-up)
• APA format for in-text citations and list of references

SOLUTION

Holmes et al (2018) defines a normal distribution as a continuous probability distribution, whereby the values occur in a symmetrical way around the mean. Two variables that I work with on a regular basis that follow a normal distribution are height of male colleagues and birth weights.

Height follows a normal distribution, with most of the values falling around the mean. If I were to create a table, the mean of heights would be around 1.78m, as the height of most individuals lie within this average. We may have cases of extremely tall or short people, but these are rare outliers especially where a large sample is considered. When plotted, the curve would be belly shaped with most of the heights lying around the average whilst a few fall away on either side of the mean. At our workplace, I have also noticed that the birth weights recorded in each given day follow a normal distribution.

Between the two variables, the heights of my colleagues would have a larger standard deviation as compared to the birth weight of infants. According to Wan et al (2014),

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