Section 2.1 | Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables

Question 1

Define:

frequency distribution

Answer 1

A frequency distribution is an organized tabulation of the number of individuals located in each category on the scale of measurement.

The simplest frequency distribution table presents the measurement scale by listing the different measurement categories (X values) in a column from highest to lowest. Beside each X value, the frequency, the number of times that particular measurement occured in the data, is listed.

Question 2

How are proportions and percentages calculated?

Answer 2

Proportion measures the fraction of the total group that is associated with each score.

proportion = p = f / N

Because proportions describe frequency (f) in relation to the total number (N), they often are called relative frequencies. They commonly appear as decimals.

percentage = p(100) = (f / N)(100)