Appropriate Measures of Central Tendency and Variability

Which of one of the following represents the best estimate of the population mean?

• The sample mean

• The mean of several sample means

• The mode of several sample means

• The median of several sample means

If you obtained a sample of data that was relatively normally distributed and had no extreme scores, which measure of central tendency would you opt for?

• Mean

• Median

• Mode

• None of the above

Which of the following measures of central tendency are sensitive to extreme scores?

• Mean

• Median

• Mode

• None of the above

Given the following graph, how would you describe the distribution?

• Normal

• Positively skewed

• Negatively skewed

• Bimodal

A researcher is studying the effects of having (or not having) a pet on aggression (measured as scores in an aggression test). What is the best central tendency for the independent variable?

• mean

• median

• mode

• none of the above

A researcher is studying the effects of having (or not having) a pet on aggression (measured as scores in an aggression test). What is the best central tendency for the dependent variable?

• mean

• median

• mode

• none of the above

You have grouped elderly into three groups: (1) those who will perform daily shibashi qi gong exercises, (2) those who will undergo counseling as usual, and (3) those who will undergo nothing. You will then compare the subjective happiness reports (as scores) of participants across this three groups. Which is the best measure of central tendency for your IV?

• Mean

• Median

• Mode

• None of the above

You have grouped elderly into three groups: (1) those who will perform daily shibashi qi gong exercises, (2) those who will undergo counseling as usual, and (3) those who will undergo nothing. You will then compare the subjective happiness reports (as scores) of participants across this three groups. Which is the best measure of central tendency for your DV?

• Mean

• Median

• Mode

• None of the above

The researcher is describing his sample this way, "half of the participants scored less than 33 and the remaining half scored more than 33." Which measure of central tendency is used here?

• mean

• median

• mode

• none of the above

If a researcher studies a nominal variable, which of the following measure of central tendency is most appropriate?

• mean

• median

• mode

• none of the above