The most common report that MSC runs is a frequency distribution report. A frequency distribution is a listing of all values that populate a particular field, and the frequency that each value is found. For example, a frequency distribution of the state field on a file might look like:

Frequency distributions are useful tools in learning about the composition of a list. For example, a series of frequency distributions can tell you the scope of the data that you have to work with. For a consumer list with demographics, you could learn the age distribution on the list, the income distribution and any other variable that resides on the file.

Frequency distributions are also useful in performing quality checks on processing performed. For example, if you only wanted to solicit within the continental U.S., the above frequency distribution would make you aware that the select criteria omitted this instruction, because Hawaii appears on the output. You can quickly remedy the selection before the mail goes out rather than finding out after youve paid for postage and printing on the mail that has already been sent.