In which situation would the mean be an appropriate measure of central tendency?
A) Most of the scores are near the minimum, a few are in the middle range, and there are almost none near the maximum
B) We have frequency data on cows, horses, mules, and goats
C) The data categories in the soil analysis are: 0-2 ppm, 3-5 ppm, 6-8 ppm, 9-11 ppm, and over 11 ppm
D) None of the other alternatives are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mean is an appropriate measure of central tendency when the data is interval or ratio (i.e., numerical and continuous) and is symmetrically distributed without outliers. Options A, B, and C all describe situations where the data is not suitable for calculating a mean due to skewness, categorical nature, or the data being grouped, respectively.

In Which Situation Would the Mean Be an Appropriate Measure