Get premium membership and access questions with answers, video lessons as well as revision papers.

Define measure of central tendency and hence give its advantages and disadvantages

      

Define measure of central tendency and hence give its advantages and disadvantages

  

Answers


Ruth
A measure of central tendency or middle point of data set is a single numerical value that is used to describe the average of entire set of scores. Measure of central tendency include-
1) The median- The median is the middle point in asset of scores or data which is arranged in increasing or decreasing numerical order. It is the point bellow or above which half of the observation falls
2) The mean -The mean of a set of observation is its sum (?x) divided by the number of observation (n)
3) The mode- The mode is the most common score which the score is obtained from the largest number of respondents. In other words a value or a term that has the highest frequency in a given data is called mode

Advantages and disadvantages of the measure of central tendency.
1.The mean
Advantages
1) Easily manipulated algebraically, It is applicable in many statistical procedures.
2) It is an unbiased estimate of the population parameter U. The mean is the best measure of inferential purpose because it differs less from the population parameter compared to all other measures of central tendency.
Disadvantages
1) It is influenced by extremes scores
2) Its value may not actually exist in the set data.
However, its advantages often outweighs the advantages as a result, it is the most commonly used measure of central tendency.

2. Median
Advantages
1. Not affected by extreme scores
2. Does not require one to assume interval properties of scale of measurement.
For example, for scores 5,8, 11, 8 is the number in the middle no matter how close the distance is from the object represented by the 5 and 11 . When we say that the mean is 8, however we may imply to the reader that the underlying distances between object 5and 8 is the same as between 8 and 11. For some variables, this may not be a reasonable assumption based on the researcher’s judgment.
3. The mode
Advantages
1. The scores actually exist in the data set.
2. It represents the largest number of people or objects in the study.
Disadvantages
Sometimes it does not adequately describe the behavior being studied


NatalieR answered the question on June 6, 2022 at 11:35


Next: Discuss activities involved in data processing.
Previous: Define measure of variability and highlight its types

View More Research Methods in Child and Family Studies Questions and Answers | Return to Questions Index


Learn High School English on YouTube

Related Questions