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Z-SCORES: LOCATION OF
SCORES & STANDARDIZED
DISTRIBUTIONS
Bill Chislev Jeff J. Cabrera

Introduction to z-Scores
◦ In the previous chapters, we introduced the concepts of
the mean and standard deviation as methods for
describing an entire distribution of scores. Now we shift
attention to the individual scores within a distribution.
◦ The purpose of z-scores or standard scores is to identify
and describe the exact location of each score in a
distribution.

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Introduction to z-Scores

Introduction to z-Scores
◦ A z-score specifies the precise location of each value
within the distribution. The sign of the z-score ( + or - )
signifies whether the score is above the mean (positive) or
below the mean (negative).

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Introduction to z-Scores

Introduction to z-Scores
◦ Each z-score tells the exact location of the original X value
within the distribution.
◦ The raw score must be transformed to a standardized
score that is more meaningful.

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Characteristics of z-score distribution

◦ Shape – same as that of the raw score distribution
◦ Mean – always zero (0)
◦ Standard Deviation – always one (1)

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z-Score formula

Learning Check

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A. -1
B. -2.5
C. -2.0
D. -5.0 59 61 63 65 67
50 55 60 65 70
55 60 65 70 75
66 68 70 72

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Exercises. Compute the z-score

◦ 1. µ = 60 and 𝜎 = 6
◦ What z-score corresponds to a score of X = 51
◦ 2. µ = 86 and 𝜎 = 7
◦ What z- score corresponds to a score of X = 95

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Determining raw score (X) from a z-Score

◦ You can re-arrange the z-score equation to transform
a z-score to a raw score:

◦ For a distribution with a mean of 46 and SD of 8, what

X value corresponds to a z-score of +1.5?

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Other relationships Between scores

Mean = 50
Raw = 65
z= +1.5 59 62 65 68

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Other relationships Between scores

◦ In a population with a standard deviation of 6, a score of
X = 33 corresponds to z = -1.50. What is the mean for the
population?

X= 35 = 33 – (-1.5*6)
z = +2 =33 + 9
SD = 7 =42 33 42

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Other relationships Between scores

◦ In a population distribution, a score of X=54 corresponds to
z = +2.00 and a score of X = 42 corresponds to z = -1.00.
◦ What are the values for the mean and the standard
deviation for the population?

42 46 50 54

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Exercises
◦ For a population with µ = 100 and 𝜎 = 20, what is the z-score corresponding
to the following scores:
◦ X = 110 =
◦ X = 125 =
◦ X = 80 =

A population of scores has µ = 44. In this population, an X value of 40

corresponds to z = -0.50. What is the population standard deviation?
◦ A population of score has 𝜎 = 4. In this population, an X value of 58
corresponds to z = +2.00. What is the population mean?
◦ A population of scores has 𝜎 = 10. In this population, a score of X = 60
corresponds to z = -1.50. What is the population mean?

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Exercises

E
F

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