Normative Data

Synonyms

Benchmark data; Norms; Population norms

Definition

Normative data is data from a reference population that establishes a baseline distribution for a score or measurement, and against which the score or measurement can be compared. Normative data is typically obtained from a large, randomly selected representative sample from the wider population. They can be used to easily transform individual scores or measurements directly into standardized z-scores, T scores, or quantiles. Examples of psychological tests that make use of normative data in scoring include the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Normative data can also incorporate additional variables such as age and gender, when these variables are expected to have significant effects on the distribution of measurements; head-circumference-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-age norms provided by the CDC (Kuczmarski et...