What is the first step in calculating the Coefficient of Dispersion (COD)?

The first step in calculating the Coefficient of Dispersion (COD) is to array the ratios. Arranging the ratios in ascending order allows you to clearly see the dispersion of the data around the mean. This foundational step is crucial because it sets the stage for analyzing how the individual ratios relate to one another and where they fall in the distribution.

Once the ratios are organized, it facilitates the identification of outliers and patterns in how the assessment ratios are distributed. This ordered data provides a clearer framework for subsequent calculations, such as finding the mean ratio and the absolute differences, which are essential for determining the overall dispersion in the set of ratios. Properly arraying the ratios helps ensure that the analysis is accurate and reflective of the data.