What are outliers and how do they affect data analysis?

What are outliers and how do they affect data analysis?

Outliers are data points that differ significantly from other observations. They can skew results and affect statistical analyses.

Can you give me an example of how an outlier might impact a dataset?

Sure! If you're calculating the average income of a group and one person earns a million dollars, that outlier can raise the average significantly.

How can I identify outliers in my data?

You can use methods like the Z-score, IQR (Interquartile Range), or visualizations like box plots to identify outliers.

Should I remove outliers from my dataset?

It depends on the context. If the outlier is a result of an error, it might be best to remove it. However, if it's a valid observation, consider its impact on your analysis.