Topic 3: Central Tendency

Summary

Central tendency is a statistical measure that identifies a single score as most typical or representative of an entire distribution

Mean (M or μ)

The arithmetic average calculated by summing all scores and

dividing by the total number of scores ((𝚺X)/n).

Median

The midpoint of a list of scores ordered from smallest to largest; the

point below which 50% of the scores fall.

Mode

The score or category with the greatest frequency.

Choosing a Measure:

• Use the Mean for most interval or ratio data.

• Use the Median for skewed distributions, undetermined values, or ordinal scales.

• Use the Mode for nominal scales or discrete variables.