The mean and median absolute deviations

In this article, we present a survey of important results related to the mean and median absolute deviations of a distribution, both denoted by MAD in the statistical modelling literature and hence creating some confusion. Some up-to-date published results, and some original ones of our own, are also included, along with discussions on several controversial issues. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.