Confidence interval

Confidence intervals (CIs) (or confidence limits) indicate the reliability of a statistical parameter. Rather than rely on a single estimate for a parameter (such as a measure of central tendency, a CI approach specifies a likely range within which the population central tendency for a variable of interest is likely to be.

For example, the mean height for a sample of adult human beings might be, say, 170cm. From a sample we may conclude that the mean height for the entire population is 95% likely to be between 168cm and 172cm (a lower and upper confidence level respectively).

See also

• Confidence interval {Wikipedia)