ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION There are three basic characteristics of frequency distributions: form (the shape of the distribution, discussed in Chapter 19), central tendency (discussed in this chapter), and variability (to be discussed in Chapter 21). Now that you have learned to organize a set of data into a frequency distribution and describe its form, the next step is to learn to describe the other characteristics of that frequency distribution. One characteristic is central tendency, often referred to as a “typical score.” In this chapter we will talk about three commonly used measures of central tendency: the mode, the median, and the mean, and you will learn how to calculate each. We will also discuss the characteristics of each of these measures and when each is appropriate to use in the classroom.
