Correct Use of Percent Coefficient of Variation (%CV) Formula for Log-Transformed Data

Abstract

The coefficient of variation (CV) is a unit less measure typically used to evaluate the variability of a population relative to its standard deviation and is normally presented as a percentage.1 When considering the percent coefficient of variation (%CV) for log-transformed data, we have discovered the incorrect application of the standard %CV form in obtaining the %CV for log-transformed data. Upon review of various journals, we have noted the formula for the %CV for log-transformed data was not being applied correctly. This communication provides a framework from which the correct mathematical formula for the %CV can be applied to log-transformed data.