I've been thinking about product ratings online. Product A and B both have an average rating of 4 stars. Product A is universally liked: every reviewer gave it 4 stars. Product B is the Twilight Series: lots of people love it (5 stars), but many 1 star reviews drags down the average to 4 stars.
Other than displaying the rating distribution (# of 1 through 5 star reviews), are there well-known formulas that would give Product A a higher rating?
I think what I'm asking about are weighted means, or some sort of formula that takes into account variance or skew.
But rather than re-invent the statistical wheel, I was hoping some of you may be able to point out well-known examples of good weighted formulas, or research related to this question.
Hope this is clear! Thank you!
posted by User7
on Apr 1, 2013 -
18 answers
In this game, you roll a number of six-sided dice to get a
total. The total is either the highest single die result, or the sum of any multiples rolled, whichever is higher.
For example: If I roll three dice and get a 3, 4, and 6, my total is 6. But if I roll a 4, 4, and 6, my total is 8, the sum of the two 4s.
What I want to find out is the mean, median, mode, and standard deviation of the possible totals given N dice. How might I create a simple script to compute this?
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posted by j0hnpaul
on Nov 30, 2012 -
24 answers
You had the habit of being sarcastic, mean, harshly opinionated (and/or some other problematic interaction) as a form of intimacy or bonding. You were able to break the habit. How, specifically, did you manage to make this change in your interaction style?
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posted by windykites
on Oct 15, 2012 -
47 answers
I am unnecessarily and randomly critical of people. It is worse when I am stressed. This impacts my friendships, home life, and work. I need to stop.
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posted by domo
on Sep 12, 2012 -
34 answers
Harmonic or Arithmetic Mean?: I'm trying to settle an argument with my wife - is using the arithmetic mean or harmonic mean more appropriate when finding the "average" number of, say, online comments made by a large number of people, where a significant portion of them make only one comment and a few people make the bulk of the comments?
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posted by salsamander
on Jun 2, 2012 -
13 answers
I'm casually critical much of the time. I'd like to change that. I'd especially like to stop casually criticizing and reflexively disagreeing with loved ones.
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 29, 2012 -
20 answers
What's the best way to deal with being around a guy who really hurt my feelings (not romantically), without killing everyone's good time?
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posted by Ashley801
on Feb 11, 2011 -
38 answers
On occasion I say mean, horrible things to my boyfriend, and only when I've been drinking. Why? Where is this coming from?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 14, 2010 -
40 answers
Google search was great, until now. Now it asks you "Did you mean this" and then populates the first two results with the term you didn't type, but Google thinks you MUST have meant, because they are smarter than you.
So, what's a good search engine for someone who loves the old google search simplicity? (P.S. Live and Yahoo are far worse)
posted by parallax7d
on Feb 24, 2009 -
12 answers
How can I deal with a group of neighborhood punks intent on making my kids' lives miserable? Most of the information online tells parents to involve the school administration, but this is happening right in my neighborhood -- on my very street -- not in an school setting.
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posted by _Mona_
on Jan 16, 2009 -
85 answers
IANAS. How can I average two standard deviation values?
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posted by DU
on Apr 18, 2007 -
5 answers
Grading dilemma: Can the median be a fair measure of a set of quiz scores? Here's the situation ...
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posted by imposster
on May 8, 2006 -
24 answers
I am one of those people who will give you the shirt off their back. Problem is, sometimes it's a little chilly being half-nekkid in this damnable British weather...
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posted by longbaugh
on Feb 23, 2005 -
31 answers
Remedial weighted averages for the mathematically illiterate – or, can the 10% of you who understand math help the remaining 95% of us who don't? [mi].
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posted by RavinDave
on Jul 11, 2004 -
3 answers
