Overcoming the J-shaped Distribution of Product Reviews

A product review system which relies on a simple database technology that allows people to rate products is discussed. People must use this technology to build products review systems that render unbiased information about true product quality. The J-shaped distribution also creates some fundamental statistical problems. The experimental results explain the J-shaped distribution to be driven by two self-selection biases purchasing bias and under-reporting bias. People should not solely rely on the simple average that is readily available, but they should incorporate other variables, such as the standard deviation, the two modes of the online product reviews, besides product price. The product review systems must provide additional information besides the average the standard deviation and the two modes of the product reviews.