The determination of outlier boundaries in datasets is a crucial step in statistical analysis. A computational tool exists that defines these boundaries by calculating two values. The lower value represents the threshold below which data points are considered unusually low, while the upper value establishes the threshold above which data points are considered unusually high. For instance, when analyzing sales figures, this tool can automatically identify unusually low or high sales days, allowing for focused investigation into potential contributing factors.
Identifying these boundaries is essential for data cleaning, anomaly detection, and improving the accuracy of statistical models. By removing or adjusting outlier values, data analysts can mitigate the impact of extreme values on statistical measures such as the mean and standard deviation. Historically, these calculations were performed manually, which was time-consuming and prone to error. Automation of this process allows for faster and more consistent data analysis.