If the distribution of scores is normal, all these measures of central tendency will have essentially the same value.
If the distribution is positively skewed (many lower scores and relatively few higher scores), the mode will have the lowest value, and the mean (most influenced by deviant scores) will have the highest.
With a negatively skewed distribution, the opposite will be true. The mean will have the lowest value, and the mode will have the highest.
Which distribution do you think would be typical of Louisiana's student scores?
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
This is actually in my communications class. I have to decide which is the best statistic type is best to use in my speech. (mean, median or mode)
I am struggling to decide which statistic would be used to support the following assertions?
Louisiana’s educational system has improved dramatically and now ranks higher than any other southern state. _____________
Louisiana’s students are struggling with test scores reaching a 7 year low. It is essential that more federal funds be routed to improving Louisiana’s schools. _____________
I also need to answer why and how can this be manipulative of the audience?
This can be manipulative of the audience if they do not understand the correlations of the statistics given, as most listeners capacities for numerical data may be limited. If numbers and statistics are presented without visual reinforcements, the audience may not grasp their importance.
2 answers
Thanks PSYDAG -- I am going to try to get my brain in gear and understand. I appreciate your time and information.
1 answer