SKEWNESS and KURTOSIS

Introduction
The measures of central tendency give us an estimate of the representative value of the items
or series. Thus an average represents the central tendency of a series, known as the average of
the first order. The measures of dispersion give us an idea of the spread or variation of the
observation about the central tendency of the items. These measures are known as averages of
the second order. The function of the averages of the second order (dispersion) is to describe
the extent to which the averages of the first order-Mean, Median and Mode are typical of the
series.
The measures of central tendency and dispersion do not indicate whether the distribution is
symmetric or not. We may come across frequency distributions which difference widely in
their nature and composition. Even then, they may have same central tendencies and
dispersions. When the items in a series are dispersed about the central value in even fashion,
the frequency curve representing the distribution will be symmetrical. We can draw a graph
with the help of the gives frequency distribution. If the shape of the curve, or histogram, is
equal on either side of the median it is clear that the distribution is symmetrical. If we fold the
curve or histogram on the ordinate at mean, the two will coincide. It means the distribution is
symmetrical.
Meaning
Some definitions of skewness are given below:
"Measures of skewness tell us the direction and the extent of skewness. In symmetric
distribution the mean, median and mode are identical. The more the mean moves away from
mode, the larger the asymmetry or skewness". "A distribution is said to be skewed' when the
mean and the median fall at different p in the distribution, and the centre of gravity is shifted
to one side or the other to left or rig -Simpson and Kaa
"When a is not symmetrical it is said to be asymmetrical or skewed."
"Skewness is the lack of symmetry. When a distribution is plotted on a chat skewness present
in the series tends to be dispersed more on one side of the mean than on other." Croxton and
Cow The measures of central tendency and dispersion are inadequate to characterise a
distribution completely: they may be supported and supplemented by two more measures, viz.
skewness -Riggleman and Frisbe Kurtosis.
In a symmetrical distribution, the items show a perfect balance on either side of the central -
Simpson and Kendency. In skew distribution, the balance is thrown to one side. The amount
by which the balance exceeds on one side, measures the skewness of a series. If a distribution
is not symmetrical, it is referred to as skewed or an asymmetrical distribution. The measure of
skewness helps us to determine the nature and extent of concentration of the observations
towards higher or lower values of the variables. Thus, it does not only measure the amount of
skewness, but also the direction.

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SKEWNESS
A distribution which is not symmetrical is called a skewed distribution and in such
distributions, the Mean, the Median and the Mode will not coincide, but the values are pulled
apart. If the curve has a longer tail towards the right, it is said to be positively skewed. If the
curve has a longer tail towards the left, it is said to be negatively skewed. The following
illustration will clarify:
CHARACTERISTICS OF DISPERSION AND SKEWNESS
Dispersion
1. It shows us the spread of individual values about the central value.
2. It is useful to study the variability in data.
3. It judges the truthfulness of the central tendency.
4. It is a type of averages of deviation- average of the second order.
5. It shows the degree of variability.
Skewness
1. It shows us departure from symmetry.
2. It is useful to study the concentration in love or higher variables.
3. It judges the differences between the central tendencies.
4. It is not an average, but is measured by the us of the mean, the median and the mode
5. It shows whether the concentration is in high or lower values.
Measures of Skewness
The measures of asymmetry are usually called measures of skewness. Measures of skewness
indicates not only the extent of skewness (in numerical expressions), but also the direction; i.e.,
the manner in which the deviations are distributed. These measures can be absolute or relative.
The absolute measures are also known as measures of skewness. The relative measures are
known as the coefficient of skewness. The absolute measure tells us the extent of asymmetry,
whether it is positive or negative
If the value of the Mean is greater than the Mode, the skewness is positive. the value of the
Mode is greater than the Mean, the skewness is negative. Greater the amount of skewness
(negative or positive), the more the tendency towards asymmetry
Objective of Skewness:
The absolute measure of skewness will not be the proper measure for comparison, and he in
series a relative measure or coefficient of skewness will have to be computed. 1. Measures of
skewness tell us direction and extent of asymmetry in a series, and permit us to compare two
or more series with regard to these. 2. Measures of skewness give an idea about the nature of
variation of the items about the cent value.

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Relative Measure of Skewness
There are three important measures of relative skewness:
1. Karl Pearson's Coefficient of Skewness.
2. Bowley's Coefficient of Skewness.
3. Kelly's Coefficient of Skewness.
1. Karl Pearson's Coefficient of Skewness: According to him, absolute skewness - Mean Mode.
This measure is not suitable for making valid comparison of the skewness in two or more
distributions, because (a) the unit of measurement may be different in different series, and (6)
the same size of skewness has different significance with small or large variation in two series.
Therefore, to avoid the difficulties, an absolute measure is adopted. This is done by dividing
the difference between the Mean and the Mode by the Standard Deviation. The resultant
coefficient is called Pearsonian Coefficient of skewness.
KURTOSIS
"The degree of kurtosis of a distribution is measured relative to the peakedness or a normal."
"A measure of kurtosis indicates the degree to which a curve of a frequency distribution is
peaked or flat-topped."-Croxton and Cowden.

The expression Kurtosis' is used to describe the peakedness of a curve. The three measures-
central tendency, dispersion and skewness, describe the characteristics of frequency
distributions. But these studies will not give us a clear picture of the characteristics of a
distribution.
As far as the measurement of shape is concerned, we have two characteristics-Skewness which
refers to asymmetry of a series and Kurtosis which measures the peakedness of a normal curve
All the frequency curves expose different degrees of flatness or peakedness. This characteristic
of frequency curve is termed as Kurtosis. Measures of kurtosis denote the shape of the top of a
frequency curve.
Measures of kurtosis tell us the extent to which a distribution is more peaked or more fl topped
than the normal curve. A normal curve which is symmetrical and bell-shaped, is designated as
Mesokurtic, because it is kurtic in the centre. If a curve is relatively more narrow and peaked
at the top, it is designated as Leptokurtic. If the frequency curve is more flat than normal curve
it is designated as Platykurtic.