Sample variance

Sample variance is a statistical measure that quantifies how much the values in a sample differ from the sample's average (mean). It provides insight into the spread or dispersion of the data. To calculate it, you find the average of the data points, then determine the squared differences from this average, and finally average those squared differences. A higher variance indicates that the data points are more spread out, while a lower variance suggests they are closer to the mean. It helps researchers understand variability in data and is crucial for analyses in various fields.