The standardized score, computed using a calculator with statistical functions, indicates how many standard deviations a data point is from the mean of its distribution. For instance, if a student scores 80 on a test where the mean is 70 and the standard deviation is 5, the standardized score calculation reveals that the student’s score is two standard deviations above the average.
Calculation of this value is vital for hypothesis testing and understanding the relative standing of individual data points within a dataset. Historically, these calculations were performed manually using tables, a process now streamlined through technological advancements. This facilitates easier comparison of data from different distributions.