QUESTION
How do we calculate the median? Also, mention its merits and demerits.Course: Educational Statistics
Course code 8614
Level: B.Ed Solved Assignment
Course code 8614
Level: B.Ed Solved Assignment
ANSWER
Median
The median is the middle value of
rank order data. It divides the distribution into two halves (i.e. 50% of scores
or observations on either side of the median value). It means that this value
separates the higher half of the data set from the lower half. The goal of the
median is to determine the precise midpoint of the distribution. The median is
appropriate for describing ordinal data.
Procedure for Determining Median
When the number of scores is odd,
simply arrange the scores in order (from lower to higher or from higher to
lower). The median will be the middle score in the list. Consider the set of scores
2, 5, 7, 10, 12. The score “7” lies in the middle of the scores, so it is the median. When there is an even number of scores in the distribution, arrange the
scores in order (from lower to higher or from higher to lower). The median will
be the average of the middle two scores in the list. Consider the set of scores
4, 6, 9, 14 16, 20. The average of the middle two scores 11.5 (i.e. 9+14/2 =
23/2 = 11.5) is the median of the distribution.
The median is less affected by
outliers and skewed data and is usually the preferred measure of central tendency
when the distribution is not symmetrical. The median cannot be determined for
categorical or nominal data.
Merits of Median
i) It is rigidly defined.
ii) It is easy to understand and calculate.
iii) It is not affected by extreme values.
iv) Even if the extreme values are not known
median can be calculated.
v) It can be located just by inspection in many
cases.
vi) It can be located graphically.
vii) It is not much affected by sampling
fluctuations.
viii) It can be calculated by data based on an ordinal
scale.
ix) It is suitable for skewed distribution.
x) It is easily located in individual and
discrete classes.
Demerits of Median
i) It is not based on all values of the given
data.
ii) For larger data sizes the arrangement of the
data in increasing order is
a somewhat difficult process.
iii) It is not capable of further mathematical
treatment.
iv) It is not sensitive to some change in the
data value.
v) It cannot be used for further mathematical
processing.
Related Topics
ANOVA and its Logics
Median (Procedure of Determination, Merits, Demerits)
Measures of Dispersion
Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
What is data Cleaning? Importance and Benefits of Data Cleaning
Explain the terms Degree of Freedom,Spread of Score,Sample,Z Score,Confidence Interval
What is measure of difference? Explain different types of test
Concept of Reliability, Types and methods of Reliability
Level of Measurement
Types of Variable in Stats
Measures of Central Tedency and Dispersion,
Role of Normal Distribution, and also note on Skewness and Kurtosis.
Methods of Effective Presentation
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