Generating suitable data for statistical analysis

A computer-implemented method of generating input to statistical analysis routines after execution of a query against a database, comprising:

• receiving an abstract query against a database, the abstract query comprising a value request defined by a measurement field and a chronological reference condition, and configured to return at least one measurement value taken for the measurement field at a point in time that satisfies the chronological reference condition;
• wherein the measurement field comprises a result field for which data values determined at different points in time are collected;
• transforming the abstract query into an executable query to be executed by a query engine;
• executing the executable query a plurality of times, whereby result data is retrieved including a plurality of previously stored measurement values for the measurement field, each measurement value having been taken at another point in time different from the point in time that satisfies the chronological reference condition;
• for each of the retrieved measurement values, determining and storing in a data field in association with the retrieved measurement value a variance value, wherein the variance value is the time difference between the point in time that satisfies the chronological reference condition and the other point in time at which the retrieved measurement value was taken;
• and
• returning, as a result set for the abstract query, the data field comprising the retrieved measurement values and the associated variance values for each of the retrieved measurement values.