Page 120 - DLIS401_METHODOLOGY_OF_RESEARCH_AND_STATISTICAL_TECHNIQUES

Seema Sharma, Lovely Professional University Unit 8: Measurement of Central Tendency

Unit 8: Measurement of Central Tendency Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
8.1 Individual and Group Measurements
8.2 Data on Nominal Scale and Measure of Central Tendency
8.2.1 The Mode

8.3 Data on Ordinal Scale and the Measure of Central Tendency—The Median
8.4 Data on Equal Interval Scale and Measure of Central Tendency—The Mean
8.5 Comparison of Mean, Median and Mode
8.6 Selection of an Appropriate Average
8.7 Summary

8.8 Keywords
8.9 Review Questions
8.10 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Define individual and group measurements.
• Explain data on nominal scale and measure of central tendency.
• Describe data on ordinal scale and the measure of central tendency—the median.

• Define data on equal interval scale and measure of central tendency—the mean.

Introduction

Data are gathered on various attributes in order to ascertain the performance of the individual
or a group of individuals. This helps in better understanding of the individuals or the group.
The obtained data are classifiable on the scales of measurement viz., nominal, ordinal or equal
interval scale. It is also possible to convert these from one to the other scale. A measure of
central tendency represents average and gives concise description of the performance of the
group as a whole so as to allow comparability of groups in terns of typical performance.
Measures of central tendency are thus used to interpret the nature of scores obtained by the
group in general.
This unit discusses the measures of central tendency such as Mode, Median and Mean and
their computation and interpretation. An attempt has also been made to highlight the advantages
and limitations of each one of them besides making a mention of various educational situations
where they can be used most profitably.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 115