Page 123 - DLIS401_METHODOLOGY_OF_RESEARCH_AND_STATISTICAL_TECHNIQUES

Methodology of Research and Statistical Techniques

Notes
Example

Find the mode for the frequency distribution given below :
Class Interval Frequency
100 — 104 3
95 — 99 4
90 — 94 8
85 — 89 5

80 — 84 2
In the given distribution there are maximum (8) frequencies in the class interval 90—94. So the
mid point, i.e., 92, is the mode. You may come across some distribution where more than one
mode could be observable as in the following example :
Example

Class Interval Frequency
90 — 99 4

80 — 89 12
70 — 79 6
60 — 69 7
50 — 59 9
40 — 49 15

30 — 39 7
The above distribution is a bimodal one which has the highest and near highest frequencies
at two distinct points i.e., in class intervals 80 — 89 (f = 12) and 40 — 49 (f = 15). So it will
have two modes at the mid points of the respective class intervals which are 84.5 and 44.5.

Notes Mode is usually interpreted as a simple, inspectional 'average' to roughly indicate
the centre of concentration in the distribution.

Educational Situations and Use of Mode
Mode may be used in the following types of the educational situations :
• When the most typical value is wanted as a measure of central tendency. For instance,
The most liked boy in the class, the most popular belief of students about vocational
courses etc.
• When a quick and approximate measure of central tendency is required.

• When data is incomplete or the distribution is skewed, where most of the values are
towards the extremes.
Limitations of Mode
Mode has the limitations associated with the scale of measurement for which it stands. Mode
can obviously not be subjected to further statistical analysis. It remains as only a rough estimate.

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