In: Statistics and Probability
Describe the relation between scales of measurement and central tendency (mean, median, and mode?).
Once we identify a variable's level of measurement we would able to determine the measure's central tendency e.g. For interval-ratio level variables, we can find the mean, median, and mode. For ordinal level variables, we can find the median and mode (but not the mean). For nominal level variables, we can find the mode (but not the mean or median).
It is important to follow these guidelines when identifying the measures of central tendency that are suitable to calculate for a given variable, because finding an inappropriate measure of central tendency simply does not make sense, and moreover, is incorrect.
Central Tendencies suitable for different scales:
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