Skip to content
My Glossary Project

Matching Distribution

TL;DR

Section titled “TL;DR”
  • Compare a sample’s distribution to a known distribution (for example, a normal distribution) to see if they share the same pattern.
  • Used to assess whether a sample is representative of its population and supports population-level inferences.
  • Common in statistical analysis for checking assumptions before making predictions or decisions.

Definition

Section titled “Definition”

Matching distribution refers to the process of comparing the distribution of a sample data set to a known distribution, such as a normal distribution, in order to determine if the sample data follows the same pattern.

Explanation

Section titled “Explanation”

The procedure involves taking a sample from a population, examining the distribution of a variable within that sample, and comparing it to a reference (known) distribution. If the sample distribution closely follows the reference distribution, researchers infer that the population from which the sample was drawn is likely to have a similar distribution. This comparison supports drawing conclusions about the population based on the sample.

Examples

Section titled “Examples”

Heights example

Section titled “Heights example”

A researcher collects a sample of 100 individuals and measures their heights. The researcher compares the distribution of heights in the sample to a normal distribution. If the sample data closely follows the pattern of the normal distribution, the researcher can conclude that the population from which the sample was drawn is likely to have a similar distribution of heights.

IQ scores example

Section titled “IQ scores example”

A researcher collects a sample of 200 students and administers an IQ test to each student. The researcher compares the distribution of IQ scores in the sample to a normal distribution. If the sample data closely follows the pattern of the normal distribution, the researcher can conclude that the school population from which the sample was drawn is likely to have a similar distribution of IQ scores.

Use cases

Section titled “Use cases”
  • Making inferences about a population from a sample.
  • Determining if a sample is representative of its population.
  • Supporting predictions about the population based on sample data.
  • Providing information for decision making and policy development.
Section titled “Related terms”
  • Normal distribution
  • Statistical analysis
  • Population
  • Sample (statistics)
  • Statistical inference