5
$\begingroup$

As the title reveals; is it correct to say that a z-value follows a standard normal distribution? The sentence that I use it in, is as follows:

Moreover, all p-values are reported with the corresponding test statistic: the z-value that follows a standard normal distribution.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
10
$\begingroup$

Not necessarily. Sometimes the term "z value" is used to describe a standardized variable $Z$ (or a single value $z$), which is a set of observed values (realizations of some distribution) with a population mean of exactly 0, and a population standard deviation of exactly 1 derived from another variable $X$ through the transformation:

$$Z = \frac{X-\mu_{X}}{\sigma_{X}}$$

If the distribution of $X$ is normal, then $Z$ will have a standard normal distribution. However, if $X$ is not normal, then $Z$ will not be either, even though it still has a population mean of exactly 0, and population standard deviation of exactly 1 (i.e. $\mu_{Z} = 0, \sigma_{Z}=1$).

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
5
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks for the elaborate explanation. How would you advice to report it instead? My study's context is confirmatory factor analysis (within structural equation modelling), where the assumption is being made that each observed / measured variable is normally distributed. This z-value is reported in the output with every significance test - with the null being that the estimate is zero (I think this is similar to OLS). Btw: I can update my question with this part, if that is preferred. $\endgroup$
    – Amonet
    Aug 23, 2018 at 18:00
  • $\begingroup$ You are welcome! (Also: Welcome to CV!) Ask a new question! :) Although, given "the assumption is being made that each observed / measured variable is normally distributed," do you actually have $\mu_{X}$ and $\sigma_{X}$ (population statistics)? Or do you just have $\bar{X}$ and $s_{X}$ (sample statistics)? If the latter you do not have a $Z$ variable, but a $T$ variable: $T=\frac{X-\bar{X}}{s_{X}}$. $\endgroup$
    – Alexis
    Aug 23, 2018 at 18:07
  • $\begingroup$ I looked into the documentation of the R package (Lavaan), and it says the z-value is the test-statistic of the Wald test. The z-value is simply the parameter estimate divided by the standard error. While I understand what you're saying, I believe the R package is simply giving me the Z variable. Otherwise I think it would have reported P(>|t|) for example instead of P(>|z|) and it would have given me t-values rather than z-values. So, I am sure you're correct that it should be a T variable, but it's giving me a Z variable. Do you agree? $\endgroup$
    – Amonet
    Aug 23, 2018 at 18:22
  • $\begingroup$ "The z-value is simply the parameter estimate divided by the standard error" says nothing about whether that is a sample or population standard error. I am unfamiliar with the package. The authors may have made a mistake, or may be assuming things that make their statement true given the assumptions. Under the null hypothesis, the population mean and variance of Bernouli data are known, so $Z$ can be calculated. You should post another question, rather than trying to get new questions answered in the comments. :) $\endgroup$
    – Alexis
    Aug 23, 2018 at 18:25
  • $\begingroup$ Sorry, you are right. Thanks again for helping me out so well! $\endgroup$
    – Amonet
    Aug 23, 2018 at 18:31

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.