Data Analysis

Fill in the Blank

The mean is also known as the ___ value in a group of numbers.

Multiple Choice

Why is the mean higher than the median and the mode in the given data set?

• Because the data set has an outlier that increases the mean.

• Because the median is always lower than the mean.

• Because the mode is always the smallest value.

• Because the mean ignores extreme values.

Multiple Choice

Should the mode be used as the main measure of central tendency in the Delta River IDP Project data? Why or why not?

• No, because the mode does not represent the data well when there are outliers.

• Yes, because the mode is always the most accurate.

• Yes, because the mode is not affected by outliers.

• No, because the mode is always the lowest value.

helps program managers plan resources (e.g., average food or cash support needed).

Useful for reporting to donors to show overall service levels.

Why it matters

Calculate the average of data to see the “overall picture.”

Example: In a food distribution project in Kunar, if 5 villages received 120, 150, 130, 100, and 200 food packages →
Mean = (120+150+130+100+200) ÷ 5 = 700 ÷ 5 = 140 packages per village.

Mean (Average)

How to apply:

• In Afghanistan, data often has extreme outliers (a few very high or very low values).

• Median gives a fairer picture of the “typical” person/household than the mean, which can be distorted.

• Good for targeting beneficiaries (e.g., identifying “typical poor households” rather than being misled by a few very rich or very poor).

Why it matters

• Find the middle value when numbers are arranged.

• Example: In a Kabul education program, students’ monthly household incomes (USD) are: 50, 70, 80, 500, 600.
  Median = 80 (middle).

Median (Middle Value)

How to apply:

• Helps agencies design programs for the most common need.

• For example, if the mode number of children per family is 5, NGOs can design school and nutrition programs for a typical family of 5 children.

Why it matters

• Identify the most common value in the data.

• Example: In a survey of displaced families in Nangarhar, the number of children per household: 4, 5, 5, 6, 5, 7, 8.
  Mode = 5 (most frequent).

Mode (Most Frequent Value)

How to apply:

Multiple Choice

What is the main goal of qualitative data analysis?

• To calculate averages and totals

• To find important ideas or themes

• To create graphs and charts

• To use Excel or SPSS