Measures of Central Tendency
By
Dr M Rajanikanth
Measures of Central Tendency
Presenting the entire data/distribution in a research analysis is
not necessary at all.
The observations can cluster around a central value
A single value will describe the distribution and facilitate
comparison of different distributions.
Measures that reflect the average characteristics of a frequency
distribution are referred to as “measures of central tendency”
Most commonly used measures of central tendency are
◦ Mean
◦ Median, and
◦ Mode
Here mean is the mathematical measure while median and
mode are the positional measures
Mean
Itis the average in a distribution
The most commonly used mean is
Arithmetic mean.
Arithmetic mean is “the total sum of all
the scores divided by the number of
scores.
X- = (X1+ X2+ X3………..+ Xn)/n
X- = ∑X/n
Mean for Grouped Data
Combined Mean
Some times we need to calculate the
mean of two or more of different samples,
there we use this combined mean.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Mean
Advantages:
It makes info so simple that a common man can understand
Easy to calculate
Not necessary that given units are may be orderly ranked
Considers all the scores in distribution
Can be used for comparisons
Disadvantages:
It can not be used for qualitative analysis
Mean can not be calculated even a single frequency is missing
Most of the times the value of mean outside the given units
(mean of 1,2,3, and 4 is 2.5, which is not in the given values)
It is not useful in calculating Ratios
MEDIAN
It is a middle value in a series of values that divides
distribution into two equal parts, i.e. half of the
values lies above the median and half below it.
For ungrouped data (individual series), the median
is obtained by locating the middle score.
Median for 10,11,12,13,14,15, and 16 is 13
For median we need to arrange the data into either
ascending order or descending order.
When there is even number of scores, the median is
the mean of the two adjacent middle scores
Median
Median for Grouped data
ADVANTAGES OF MEDIAN
Simplicity:- It is very simple measure of the central tendency of the
series. I the case of simple statistical series, just a glance at the data is
enough to locate the median value.
Free from the effect of extreme values: - Unlike arithmetic mean,
median value is not destroyed by the extreme values of the series.
Certainty: - Certainty is another merits is the median. Median values are
always a certain specific value in the series.
Real value: - Median value is real value and is a better representative
value of the series compared to arithmetic mean average, the value of
which may not exist in the series at all.
Graphic presentation: - Besides algebraic approach, the median value
can be estimated also through the graphic presentation of data.
Possible even when data is incomplete: - Median can be estimated even
in the case of certain incomplete series. It is enough if one knows the
number of items and the middle item of the series.
DISADVANTAGES OF MEDIAN
Lack of representative character: - Median fails to be a
representative measure in case of such series the different values of
which are wide apart from each other. Also, median is of limited
representative character as it is not based on all the items in the series.
Unrealistic:- When the median is located somewhere between the two
middle values, it remains only an approximate measure, not a precise
value.
Lack of algebraic treatment: - Arithmetic mean is capable of further
algebraic treatment, but median is not. For example, multiplying the
median with the number of items in the series will not give us the sum
total of the values of the series.
However, median is quite a simple method finding an average of a
series. It is quite a commonly used measure in the case of such series
which are related to qualitative observation as and health of the
student.
MODE
The mode is the number that appears most
frequently in a data set.
It is the value around which the items are
most heavily concentrated.
The mode of the following data The mode
{2,3,6,2,8,4,9,2,3,7,5} is 2 because it
occurs three times, which is more than any
other number.
There are series with more than one mode
also.
MODE
ADVANTAGES OF MODE
1) Simple and popular: - Mode is very simple measure of central
tendency. Sometimes, just at the series is enough to locate the
model value. Because of its simplicity, it s a very popular measure
of the central tendency.
2) Less effect of marginal values: - Compared top mean, mode is less
affected by marginal values in the series. Mode is determined only
by the value with highest frequencies.
3) Graphic presentation:- Mode can be located graphically, with the
help of histogram.
4) Best representative: - Mode is that value which occurs most
frequently in the series. Accordingly, mode is the best representative
value of the series.
5) No need of knowing all the items or frequencies: - The
calculation of mode does not require knowledge of all the items and
frequencies of a distribution. In simple series, it is enough if one
knows the items with highest frequencies in the distribution.
DISADVANTAGES OF MODE
Uncertain and vague: - Mode is an uncertain and vague
measure of the central tendency.
Not capable of algebraic treatment: - Unlike mean, mode is
not capable of further algebraic treatment.
Difficult: - With frequencies of all items are identical, it is
difficult to identify the modal value.
Complex procedure of grouping:- Calculation of mode
involves cumbersome procedure of grouping the data. If the
extent of grouping changes there will be a change in the model
value.
Ignores extreme marginal frequencies:- It ignores extreme
marginal frequencies. To that extent model value is not a
representative value of all the items in a series. Besides, one
can question the representative character of the model value as
its calculation does not involve all items of the series.
Thank you
