Descriptive Statistical Analysis Using Bold BI
Introduction
Descriptive statistical analysis is a method of summarizing and interpreting data through key metrics such as mean, median, mode, and standard deviation. These measures are essential for uncovering patterns, trends, and variability within datasets.
This article provides a practical guide to performing descriptive statistical analysis in Bold BI, using built-in features like aggregations, calculated fields. These techniques help summarize data and reveal insights through key metrics:
Mean
The Mean is a central value that represents the average of a dataset. It is calculated by summing all the values and dividing by the total number of entries. This metric is useful for identifying the overall trend or typical value in the data.
How to Achieve the Mean in Bold BI
Bold BI offers two main approaches to calculate the mean:
Option 1: Using Summary Type in Widgets
This method is quick and ideal for visualizing averages directly in dashboards.
- Open the Designer Page.
- Drag and drop a widget (e.g., Grid, Card, Chart) into the Design Panel.
- Add the desired column to the Measures section.
- Click the gear icon to change the summary type.
- Set the Summary Type to
Average.
This automatically calculates and displays the mean value for the selected data column.
Option 2: Using Calculated Fields
This method is useful when more control is needed or when the average needs to be reused in multiple widgets.
- Open the Data Design View.
- Click the Expression menu in the toolbar.
- In the Query Expressions window, click Add.
- Enter the following expression:
AVG([Column_Name])
5. Save the calculated field and use it in your visualizations.
By following these methods, users can effectively calculate and display the mean in Bold BI.
Median
The Median is the middle value in a sorted dataset. It separates the data into two equal halves—values below and above the median. This measure is particularly effective when analyzing data with outliers or skewed distributions, as it provides a more stable central value than the mean.
How to Achieve Median in Bold BI
Just like mean, the median can be calculated using:
- Summary Type in widgets
- Calculated Fields
Please refer to the screenshots below for both approaches to calculating the median in Bold BI.
| Approach | Screenshot |
|---|---|
| Summary Type in widgets | |
Calculated Fields MEDIAN([Column_Name]) |
Standard Deviation
Standard deviation quantifies the amount of variation or dispersion in a dataset. A lower standard deviation indicates that data points are closely clustered around the mean, while a higher value suggests greater spread. It is commonly used to assess consistency and variability in performance metrics.
How to Achieve Standard Deviation in Bold BI
The Standard Deviation can be calculated using:
- Calculated Field
Please refer to the screenshots below for calculating the Standard Deviation similar to Mean and Median in Bold BI.
| Approach | Screenshot |
|---|---|
Calculated Fields STDEV([ColumnName]) |
Mode
The Mode is the value that occurs most frequently in a dataset. It highlights the most common or popular item and is especially useful for identifying dominant categories or trends in the data.
How to Achieve Mode in Bold BI
Use Count aggregation and Group By the field to identify the most frequent value.
- Example: To find the year with the highest number of product orders:
- Group by
[Year(OrderDate)] - Apply Count aggregation on
[ProductID] - Sort the result in descending order to identify the year with the most product.
- Group by
Conclusion
Descriptive statistical analysis in Bold BI enables us to uncover key insights from their data using measures like mean, median, mode, and standard deviation. By leveraging built-in aggregations and calculated fields, you can visualize central tendencies and data variability effectively.
Visualizing these metrics using line charts, bar charts, and reference bands allows stakeholders to make data-driven decisions with clarity and confidence.
Additional References
