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Normal Distribution

Article  in  Journal of Conservative Dentistry · February 2014

DOI: 10.4103/0972-0707.124171 · Source: PubMed

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Jogikalmat Krithikadatta
Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital
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Statistics Simplified

Normal Distribution

The language of statistics identifies numerical data central tendency) as given by SD (measure of dispersion).
of two types: Continuous data and Categorical data. When this distribution follows a bell-shape, then it is
Continuous data describes the quantity measured on a called normal.[1]
scale. Eg. Comparison of apical debris extrusion with rotary vs.
reciprocating file motion. This is measured in micro-gram (g) Sample size has a significant effect on sample distribution.
of debris extruded from the root apex. On the other hand, It is often observed that small sample size results in
categorical data speaks about the quality of the data and non-normal distribution. This is a result of inadequate
is expressed in proportions or percentage. Eg. Prevalence of estimation of the dispersion of the data, and the frequency
white spot lesion (WSL) in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic distribution does not result in a normal curve.[2] To
therapy. This information is expressed in percentage of understand the effect of sample size on distribution, let
patients having WSL. us consider the following research question. What is the
shear bond strength of self-etch adhesive to dentin? Figure.1
The representation of data is inclusive of two parameters: shows the distribution of data in different scenarios with
The measure of central tendency and the measure if dispersion. increasing sample size. The graph does not conform to the
The measure of central tendency is direction towards the bell curve when the sample size is 10, 15 or 20 [Figure 1a-
central most value of the data set as given by the mean
or median. The measure of dispersion includes standard Table 1: Mean and standard deviation of shear bond
deviation (SD), standard error and confidence interval.[1] strength values (MPa) at different sample sizes.
Sample size Mean Standard deviation
The distribution of data is again dependent on the data n=5 35.2 7.57
n=15 32.6 6.93
type. In case of categorical data the distribution is binomial
n=20 35.6 6.80
as the out come is binary. E.g. Present/Absent; Yes/No; n=25 32.1 6.65
Normal/Diseased. However, with continuous data, there is n=30 33.3 5.04
distribution of data on either side of the mean (measure of n=120 33.1 4.08

a b c

d e f
Figure 1: Illustrates frequency distribution of shear bond strength (MPA) values at different sample size (n). (a) n = 10. (b) n = 15.
(c) n = 20. (d) n = 25. (e) n = 30. (f) n = 120.
(Note: Sample size of 30 is not always an ideal number that allows normal distribution. It is observed for this data set).

96 Journal of Conservative Dentistry | Jan-Feb 2014 | Vol 17 | Issue 1

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Statistics Simplified

right. [Figure  2] This kind of skewed data is also a true

representative of the population.

To know if the data follows normal distribution, we can

use tests like Shapiro-Wilk test or Anderson-Darling test
or Kolmogonov-Smirnov test to check for normalcy.[3] If the
data follows normal distribution, we can use parametric
methods for data analysis. When the data does not follow
normal distribution, we can transform the data (logarithmic
transformations) or use a statistical method that does not
consider the distribution for analysis.

Statistical notes:
Figure 2: Distribution of DMFS scores showing skewed • The parameters of normal distribution are mean and SD.
distribution • Distribution is a function of SD.
• Sample size plays a role in normal distribution.
to 25 [Figure 1d], the distribution is beginning to conform • Skewed distribution can also be representative if the
to the normal curve and becomes normally distributed population under study.
when sample size is 30 [Figure 1e]. When one rationalizes • Normal distribution of data can be ascertained by
the normal distribution to the sample size, there is a certain statistical tests.
tendency to assume that the normalcy would be better
with very large sample size. However, it can be seen that Jogikalmat Krithikadatta
when the data shows normal distribution at n = 30 [Figure Department of Conservative Dentistry
1e], the distribution remains the same when the sample and Endodontics,
size is 120 [Figure 1f]. When we look at the mean and SD Meenakshi Ammal Dental College,
for different sample sizes [Table 1], it can be noted that the Maduravoyal, Chennai. India.
E-mail: drkrithikadatta@hotmail.com
mean varies from 35 to 32 MPa between n = 10 and n = 25,
but stabilizes at 33.3 MPa when n = 30. However, the SD is REFERENCES
gradually decreasing from 7.57 to 5.04 with an increase in 1. Krithikadatta J, Valarmathi S. Research Methodology in dentistry:
sample size. Hence the shape of the normal distribution is Part II — The relevance of statistics in research. J Conserv Dent
a function of SD. The shape is broader and flatter when SD 2012;15:206-213.
2. Altman D, Bland M. The normal distribution. BMJ 1995;1995:298.
is high and narrower when SD is low. 3. Razali, Nornadiah; Wah, Yap Bee. Power comparisons of Shapiro-Wilk,
Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Lilliefors and Anderson-Darling tests. Journal of
Statistical Modeling and Analytics 2011;2:21-33.
Normal distribution is not the only “ideal” distribution
that is to be achieved. Data that do not follow a normal
distribution are called non-normal data. In certain cases,
normal distribution is not possible especially when How to cite this article: Krithikadatta J. Normal Distribution. J
large samples size is not possible. In other cases, the Conserv Dent 2014;17:96-7.
distribution can be skewed to the left or right depending
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on the parameter measure. This is also a type of non-
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normal data that follows Poisson’s distribution independent Website:
of the sample size. For example, any data on DMFS would www.jcd.org.in
often have skewed distribution to the left. This happens
due to the nature of the data set. The best DMFS score is DOI:
0 and in a population of school children, the mean DMFS 10.4103/0972-0707.124171
value would be closer to 0 and taper gradually towards the

Journal of Conservative Dentistry | Jan-Feb 2014 | Vol 17 | Issue 1 97

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