Why is standard deviation preferred over variance for reporting purposes?

Standard deviation is preferred over variance for reporting purposes primarily because it provides a measure of dispersion that is expressed in the same units as the original data. While variance indicates how spread out the numbers in a dataset are, it does so in squared units. This can make it more challenging to interpret because it does not directly relate to the original data scale.

Using standard deviation, on the other hand, allows for a more intuitive understanding of variability. For example, if you are reporting the heights of individuals in centimeters, the standard deviation will also be in centimeters, making it simpler for the audience to grasp how much variation exists from the mean height. This characteristic is particularly valuable for communication to stakeholders who may not be familiar with statistical concepts, as it provides a clearer picture of the data's variability in a directly comparable format.