The nurse researcher's data contain extremes of high and low scores.Which measure of central tendency should the researcher plan to use in order to be least affected by extremes of high and low scores?
A) Mean
B) Mode
C) Median
D) Percentile

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Correct A: The mean is affected by every score and the least affected by chance.The larger the sample size,the less affected the mean will be by a single score.The mean is the most stable,least affected by extremes,and most useful for other calculations.
Incorrect B: The mode is unstable and can fluctuate widely from sample to sample from the same population.
Incorrect C: The median is not sensitive to extremes in high and low scores; it is less stable than the mean.
Incorrect D: Percentile is not a measure of central tendency; the median is the 50th percentile.

The Nurse Researcher's Data Contain Extremes of High and Low