Measures of Central Tendency

and Dispersion
(Mean, Median, Mode and
Range)
Pages 24 - 27
 Central Tendency
• This is a method of • The three common
calculating the average methods of finding the
of a set of data average are:

• The average represents 1. The MEAN

the centre of the
distribution 2. The MEDIAN

• These types of statistics 3. The MODE

are descriptive which
means they seek to
summarise the data
 Central Tendency - MEAN
• MEAN =
sum of all values in the data set
total no. of values in the data set
Write out the formula for calculating the
mean, see page 25.
Workout the mean of the following data
set.
Depth of water in cm at intervals across a
river channel: 45, 36, 36, 28, 24,
19, 16, 16, 12, 7, 3, 3, 3, 1.
• Advantages:
• All measures in data set are
considered
• Simple to calculate
• Widely understood
• Most reliable when the data set is
large with no abnormally extreme
values
• Limitations:
• Influenced by extreme values in
the data set
• Can yield a decimal figure – may
be inappropriate e.g. 5.1 persons
• Less reliable the smaller the
sample size
 Mean – Group Data
• If data is collected in group form Channel Midpoint Frequency Midpoint
then the calculation for mean is a depth cm (x) (f) X
frequency
little different.
(f x)

• Data set for channel depth: 0-9 4.5 5 22.5

• 45, 36, 36, 28, 24, 19, 16, 16, 12, 10-19 14.5
7, 3, 3, 3, 1. 20-29 24.5
30-39 34.5

40-49 44.5
• To find the mean you take the
midpoint of the group and multiply
it by the frequency. n= Efx=
• You then find the sum of the final
column and divide it by the total
number in the data set. Mean = E f x
Mean = ____
n
 Mean – Grouped Data - Answers
• If data is collected in group form Channel Midpoint Frequency Midpoint
depth cm X
then the calculation for mean is a (x) (f) frequency
little different. (f x)
0-9 4.5 5 22.5
10-19 14.5 4 58
20-29 24.5 2 29
• To find the mean you take the
midpoint of the group and multiply 30-39 34.5 2 69
it by the frequency. 40-49 44.5 1 44.5
• You then find the sum of the final
column and divide it by the total n = 14 E f x = 223
number in the data set.
Mean = E f x Mean = 223 = 15.9cm
n 14
 Central Tendency - MEDIAN
• The median is the mid-point in a set of • Calculate the median of the data set below.
values when they are arranged in order of • 45
side. • 36
• 36
• If there is an even number of values in a • 28
data set then you must calculate the Median = 7th + 8th value
average of the two central values when in • 24
numerical rank. • 19 2
• 16
• Advantages: • 16 Median = 16 + 16
• The extreme values do not distort your • 12 2
average • 7
• Can be more reliable when there is • 3 Median = 16
‘bunching, or clustering of values in the data • 3
set.
• 3
• Limitations: • 1
• Mathematically less accurate as the actual
values do not form part of a calculation • What is the median group from the data
• Less reliable when the data set is small or table for channel depth?
when there are large gaps between the
values.
 Central Tendency - MODE
• This is the value which occurs most • Calculate the mode of the data set below.
frequently in the data set. • 45
• 36
• A data set may have no mode. • 36
• 28 Mode = 3
• If a data set has one peak it is called
UNIMODAL, if it has two it is • 24
BIMODAL. • 19 Why is this not a
• 16 very good
• 16 method of calculating
• Advantages: • 12 central tendency in this
• Describes the overall shape of the • 7 particular set of data?
distribution e.g. unimodal or bimodal. • 3
• Fast and easy as no calculations. • 3
• 3
• Limitations: • 1
• Limited mathematical value as modal
value may represent extremes in the • What is the modal group from the data
data set. table for channel depth?
• Does not take into account the spread
of values within the data set.
 Dispersion
• The MEAN summarises the ‘centre’ of a
distribution, but on its own it may not be
informative enough.
• It is often useful to show how far
figures differ from the average. This
measure is known as DISPERSION.
• Methods of showing dispersion:
1. Range
2. The inter-quartile range
3. Standard deviation
In your exam you will only have to calculate the
range.
• Range = the difference between the
lowest and highest values in the data
set.
• Calculate the range for channel depth in
cm: 45, 36, 36, 28, 24, 19, 16, 16, 12, 7, 3,
3, 3, 1.
• Highest – lowest = range
• 45 - 1 = 44cm
• Advantages:
• Easy to calculate
• Shows the spread of data
• When used with the mean it shows the
distribution of values around the mean –
statistically more useful
• Limitations:
• Depends on only two values and ignores the
rest. A particular problem if extreme values
are atypical.
• The range tends to increase as the sample
size increases.