Generalized approach for using unbiased symmetric metrics with negative values: normalized mean bias factor and normalized mean absolute error factor

Journal Article · Tue Oct 23 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Atmospheric Science Letters, 13(4):262-267

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/asl.393· OSTI ID:1054039

Gustafson, William I; Yu, Shaocai

Unbiased symmetric metrics provide a useful measure to quickly compare two datasets, with similar interpretations for both under and overestimations. Two examples include the normalized mean bias factor and normalized mean absolute error factor. However, the original formulations of these metrics are only valid for datasets with positive means. This paper presents a methodology to use and interpret the metrics with datasets that have negative means. The updated formulations give identical results compared to the original formulations for the case of positive means, so researchers are encouraged to use the updated formulations going forward without introducing ambiguity.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1054039
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-88316; KP1501021
• Journal Information: Atmospheric Science Letters, 13(4):262-267, Journal Name: Atmospheric Science Letters, 13(4):262-267
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English