How is the average absolute deviation calculated?

The average absolute deviation is calculated by taking the sum of the absolute deviations from the mean for each data point in a given set and then dividing that sum by the total number of data points. This method provides a measure of variability in the data set, allowing for an understanding of how much the individual data points typically deviate from the average.

By summing the absolute deviations and dividing by the number of samples, this approach accounts for the magnitude of the deviations without considering their direction (whether they are above or below the mean), which is crucial in ensuring that no deviations cancel each other out. This measurement plays an important role in various statistical analyses, including those used in appraisal contexts.