Questions about Measures of Central Tendency

 CJ 301

Assignment #3

–Please answer each of the following questions.

Also, INTERPRET your answers.

Example: It makes no sense to simply report a mean of 2.5. It does make sense to report a mean of 2.5 arrests.

In order to complete this assignment you must read the lecture: Measures of Central Tendency under the Learning Modules. (MODE, MEDIAN, MEAN, NORMAL DISTRIBUTION).

Due date: February 8, Sunday (by midnight)

 *20 points total

NAME: _________________________________________________________

1. A random sample of university students was surveyed about its use of various drugs, including alcohol. Asked how frequently they had gotten drunk in the previous semester, the students responded:

 

 

 

3 0 2 4 5 7 2 4 2

 

Question: What is the difference between THE POSITION OF THE MEDIAN and THE VALUE OF THE MEDIAN?

Calculate:

(a) the median (calculate both position and value of the median)

(b) the mean for these responses and interpret your results. 4 points

2. The _________________ is the most occurring response. 1 point

a) mean

b) median

c) mode

3. _______Distribution___________ 2 points

7

4

3

2

Calculate the MEAN for the distribution.

4. We can use the mode as a measure of central tendency at all four levels of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio). 2 points

a) True

b) False

5. The mean is only valid as a measure of central tendency for variables measured at _____________________________________________________________. 2 points

6. What measure(s) of central tendency is (are) appropriate for the variable for gender and explain why? 2 points

7. The following distribution 2, 3, 6, 1, 3, 4, 4

is a bimodal distribution? 2 points

8. A study based on a sample of 12 students yields the following scores on a 10-point scale of cultural diversity awareness. 5 points

9, 4, 8, 7, 1, 2, 7, 2, 3, 7, 6, 10

a) What is the mean?

b) What is the median (position and value)?

c) What is the mode?

Thank you!