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2019 Agency Performance Report 3 <br /> <br /> <br />Interpreting the Numbers <br />Most of the results included in this study are reported on the basis of medians rather than arithmetical averages or <br />means. Unlike the mean, the median is not distorted by a few unusually high or low values that may exist in the <br />sample due to special circumstances. The “median” value represents the mid-point of the data for a particular <br />measure, with one-half of the respondents reporting figures above it and one-half below. Each median was <br />computed independently based on the agencies that reported for that item. As a result, mathematical relationships <br />do not always exist when different ratios are used together in the calculation. <br /> <br />Figures reported were not used unless they were in accordance with the survey instructions and definitions. In cases <br />where the number of respondents was considered inadequate for the computation of a meaningful figure, “ISD” <br />appears in the tables. <br /> <br /> <br />Lower 25% of <br />Reported Figures <br />Middle 50% of Reported Figures <br />(Middle Range) <br />Upper 25% of <br />Reported Figures <br /> <br /> <br />Smallest <br />Number <br />Reported <br />Lower <br />Quartile <br />Median Upper <br />Quartile <br />Largest <br />Number <br />Reported <br />If you see “no data” in the table of data under a graph, you haven’t answered the required Agency Performance Survey questions to generate <br />this comparison. <br /> <br />Definitions <br /> <br /> <br />Median (or 50th percentile): <br />The center value of the total distribution of the data that was reported (e.g., it is the value at which 50% of the <br />responses are above and 50% are below). This measure is less likely than an average to be distorted by a few <br />outlying responses. <br />Lower Quartile (or 25th Percentile): <br />The observation point below which 25% of the responses lie (e.g., 25% of the respondents reported a figure less <br />than this amount and 75% a figure higher than this amount). <br />Upper Quartile (or 75th Percentile): <br />The observation point below which 75% of the responses lie (e.g., 75% of the respondents reported a figure less <br />than this amount and 25% a figure higher than this amount).