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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/161437
Bias, precision and accuracy of skewness and kurtosis estimators for frequently used continuous distributions
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Several measures of skewness and kurtosis were proposed by Hogg (1974) in order to reduce the bias of conventional estimators when the distribution is non-normal. Here we conducted a Monte Carlo simulation study to compare the performance of conventional and Hogg's estimators, considering the most frequent continuous distributions used in health, education, and social sciences (gamma, lognormal and exponential distributions). In order to determine the bias, precision and accuracy of the skewness and kurtosis estimators for each distribution we calculated the relative bias, the coefficient of variation, and the scaled root mean square error. The effect of sample size on the estimators is also analyzed. In addition, a SAS program for calculating both conventional and Hogg's estimators is presented. The results indicated that for the non-normal distributions investigated, the estimators of skewness and kurtosis which best reflect the shape of the distribution are Hogg's estimators. It should also be noted that Hogg's estimators are not as affected by sample size as are conventional estimators.
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BONO CABRÉ, Roser, et al. Bias, precision and accuracy of skewness and kurtosis estimators for frequently used continuous distributions. Symmetry. 2020. Vol. 12, num. 1, pags. 19. ISSN 2073-8994. [consulted: 17 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/161437