What’s the differences between positively skewed, reverse j-shape, negatively skewed and J-shape?

[BearerofSAS]

I get a little bit confused when it comes to distinguishing the differences between them, For instance, J-shape and reverse j-shape just seem like a variant of negatively skewed and positively skewed.

What was a bit surprising to me was the fact that "number of major derogatory reports" and "the number of delinquent trade lines" plots are actually reverse j-shape distributions. Is this because they are extremely skewed on one end?

"years on current job" is positively skewed. But could you say this is reverse j-shaped also?

please see file attached

Cheers

[PaigeMiller]

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@BearerofSAS wrote:

What was a bit surprising to me was the fact that "number of major derogatory reports" and "the number of delinquent trade lines" plots are actually reverse j-shape distributions. Is this because they are extremely skewed on one end?

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I am surprised by this statement. Why is this called a "fact"? Who calls it a "fact"?

[BearerofSAS]

Hi Paige!

I am following tutorials given out by my tutor, they mention that all the interval variables are skewed to the right. such as Age of oldest trade line, Number of major derogatory reports, Number of recent credit inquiries, Number of trade lines, Debt income ratio. Value of current property, Number of delinquent trade lines, Amount due on existing mortgage and Years on current job. 

And then they go on to say the most extreme one's are reversed J-shaped. Such as Number of delinquent trade lines and Number of Major derogatory reports, when it comes to describing the shape of the distribution. 

Sorry, this may just be their professional opinion rather than being a fact. I feel you are implying its open to one's interpretation? (provided it can be justified by the individual) 

[PaigeMiller · Accepted solution]

Sometimes, the difference between distribution A and distribution B is a person's opinion, or which statistical test was used.

What happens if you change the vertical scale on the plots of Number of delinquent trade lines and Number of Major derogatory, does it then start looking like a reversed J or flying J or regular J?

[BearerofSAS]

How do you change the vertical scale on the plots? 

[PaigeMiller]

That depends on what software produced the plots. It doesn't look like SAS, so I suggest you ask in the proper forum for that software.

[BearerofSAS]

No worries, I shall ask in another forum if I can't figure it out myself, thank you. However, it is SAS Enterprise Miner 13.2 

[PaigeMiller]

As I rarely use SAS Enterprise Miner for anything, I don't know how to change the vertical scale on plots.