Expert: Abe Mantell - 12/26/2006

Question
Not too lateto answer...any input is appreciated!
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I am calculating personal risk factors and looking for a trend of either an increase or decrease over a certain period of time.  The list may have 20 possible risk factors of High (3), Medium (2), Low (1).  A person may score a 3,2, or 1 in a certain area or receive no score at all if the area is not applicable to them.  Using a standard average, if a person had 2 items as a 3, 2 items as a 2, and 2 items as a 3, it would give an average of Medium (12/6 = 2).  In the next assessment period, all of the above items may stay the same and a new area is added with a risk factor of 1.  Even though this person's risk increased, a standard average would actually show the risk as decreasing (13/7 = 1.86).  Is calculating a weighted average the accurate way to show the trend?  If so, how would it be calculated?  Thank you.
-----Answer-----
Wow!  I just saw this as an "unanswered question"...I gather it is rather late to respond...yes?

Happy Holidays!

A. Mantell

Answer
Hello Nicole,

In a case like this, an average does not seem appropriate.
How about just a total?  Either a direct total, or a
weighted total (i.e. multiply each score by some "importance"
factor)?
Such totals yield a number...the higher the number, the
greater the risk.

Sound good?

Abe