RM: Descriptive statistics Flashcards
What is the mean?
Arithmetic average where all scores are added together and divide by number of scores
What is a strength of the mean?
Sensitive measure which includes all scores within calculation, represents set of data well
What is a limitation of the mean?
May be unrepresentative because a very small or very large number can distort the view
What is the median?
Put scores in ascending order and select middle value
What is a strength of the median?
Not effected by extreme scores, only middle value is focused on so representative
What is a limitation of the median?
Not sensitive because extreme values are ignored and they might be vital
What is the mode?
Most frequent or common value
What is a strength of the mode?
Relevant to categorical data and may be only appropriate measure
What is a limitation of the mode?
Overly simple bc it may be at one extreme and there may be many modes
What is the range?
Difference between highest and lowest value
What is a strength of the range?
Easy to calculate bc of simple formula
What is a limitation of the range?
Does not account for the distribution and whether it is close or spread out
What is standard deviation?
Measure of average spread around mean, the more spread the larger the standard deviation
What is a strength of standard deviation?
More precise than range bc all values are included, gives accurate picture
What is a limitation of standard deviation?
May be misleading bc of extreme values or may not be revealed
