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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a one standard deviation unit
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a one standard deviation unit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in statistical contexts to describe a measurement that is one standard deviation away from the mean in a data set. Example: "In this study, we found that the average test score increased by a one standard deviation unit, indicating significant improvement among the participants."
✓ Grammatically correct
Epidemiology
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Nature
Arthritis Research and Therapy
BMC Public Health
BMC Ecology
Clinical Epigenetics
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
BMC Medical Research Methodology
Latin American Economic Review
Harvard University
Huffington Post
Alternative expressions(20)
a one standard deviation gain
a one standard deviation range
a one-standard deviation rise
a one standard deviation shock
a one standard deviation gap
a one standard deviation improvement
a one standard deviation move
a one-standard deviation increase
a one standard deviation increase
an increase of one standard deviation
a one standard deviation shift
a one standard deviation rise
a one standard deviation decrease
a one standard deviation departure
a one standard deviation jump
a one standard deviation change
a one standard deviation expansion
a one standard deviation increment
a rise of one standard deviation
a one standard deviation reduction
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Thus, the odds ratios are interpreted as the estimated relative risk of assault associated with a one standard deviation unit increase in the exposure.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated per an increment of one standard deviation unit for each continuous explanatory variable.
The first stringent method determined the number of patients whose impaired scores (during placebo) on test measures improved by at least one standard deviation unit and fell within the average range as specified by published norms for those tests.
Science & Research
The metric used most often for PROMIS scales is the T-score, where the scale's center is set to the mean of a general population, and each 10 points above or below the mean represents one standard deviation unit [ 4, 14, 15].
The odds ratios for continuous variables were calculated for the change in one standard deviation unit (SD).
Science
Regression coefficients therefore express the rate of change in standard deviation units of the independent variable per one standard deviation unit of the dependent variable [ 46].
Science
To allow conversion of measures of association into original units, Table 2 gives the sex-specific standard deviations for each of the measurements at 17 years (a one unit change in z-score for a given variable corresponds to a one standard deviation change in units of the underlying variable).
Science
A change of one in a z-score for a given variable corresponds to a one standard deviation change in units for that variable.
Science
Using our "main effects" model coefficients, we estimate that a one standard deviation increase in OHL (5.3 REALD-30 units) corresponds to a 9% decrease in OHIP-14 severity [PRR (95% CL) = 0.91 (0.98, 0.98)], whereas (using race-specific estimates from Table 3) this decrease is more pronounced (14%) among AA [PRR (95% CL) = 0.86 (0.96, 0.96)].
The standardized path coefficient is the expected change (in standard deviation units of the dependent variable) that would be associated with a one standard deviation shift in the independent variable, when the other variables are held constant.
Standardized coefficients are reported and should be interpreted as changes in standard deviations of the dependent variable upon a one standard deviation change of the continuous regressors or upon a unit change in dichotomous regressors.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When writing for a general audience, consider replacing the phrase with "one standard deviation" for better clarity and conciseness. This eliminates redundancy while maintaining the meaning.
Common error
Avoid assuming that a result that changes by "a one standard deviation unit" is inherently significant in a practical sense. Statistical significance does not always equate to real-world importance; consider the context and magnitude of the effect.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a one standard deviation unit" functions as a statistical quantifier. It describes a specific amount of deviation from the mean in a dataset. This usage is supported by Ludwig AI, confirming its validity in statistical context.
Frequent in
Science
75%
Academia
15%
News & Media
10%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "a one standard deviation unit" is a statistically valid term used to quantify the amount of variation from the mean in a dataset. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and typically used in formal and scientific contexts, particularly in academic research and statistical reporting. While technically sound, the slightly more concise phrase "one standard deviation" is often favored. Therefore, while "a one standard deviation unit" is correct and usable, writers should consider audience and context to determine which term is most effective.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
one standard deviation
Omits "a" and "unit", creating a shorter and more common phrasing.
a single standard deviation
Adds emphasis on the singularity of the standard deviation.
a deviation of one standard unit
Reorders the words for a slightly different emphasis.
one SD unit
Uses the abbreviation SD for standard deviation, making it more concise.
a standard deviation
Removes "one" and "unit", focusing on the concept of standard deviation in general.
a variation of one standard deviation
Substitutes "deviation" with "variation" for a broader term.
a shift of one standard deviation
Replaces 'unit' with 'shift', implying movement from the norm.
a difference of one standard deviation
Focuses on the difference or distance from the mean.
one standard deviation from the mean
Explicitly states the reference point as the mean.
a distance of one standard deviation
Uses 'distance' to emphasize the separation from the average.
FAQs
How is "a one standard deviation unit" used in statistical analysis?
It's used to quantify the amount of dispersion in a data set. A data point that is "a one standard deviation unit" away from the mean is a measure of how much that point deviates from the average.
What does it mean when data increases by "a one standard deviation unit"?
It means the data has increased by an amount equal to the standard deviation of the data set, representing a notable shift from the average value.
Is it better to say "one standard deviation" or "a one standard deviation unit"?
While both are grammatically correct, "one standard deviation" is generally preferred for its conciseness and common usage. The addition of "unit" is often redundant.
How can I interpret a change of "a one standard deviation unit" in the context of test scores?
Depending on the test's scale, "a one standard deviation unit" could represent a significant shift in performance, with higher scores indicating a better outcome compared to the average test-taker.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested