Centering variables is a very simple, but very powerful research tool. All it involves is subtracting the average for a set of data from each value. If you have 10 data points, you would take the average for all 10, subtract that average from each data point. Where a value was above the average, you get a positive number. Where a value was below, you get a negative. That’s it.
One benefit of centering is that you can easily see which values are above and below the average. Sorting a centered dataset allows you to easily see if the data are skewed – of more value falling above or below the average.
Another benefit of centering variables is that certain common statistical techniques, such as multiple linear regression, are much easier to interpret when you center the variables involved.
