When a distribution of scores includes a few extreme scores (either extremely high or extremely low) which measure of central tendency is considered to be most accurate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a distribution has extreme scores, the mean can be influenced by them and may not accurately represent the central tendency of the majority of the scores. The median, on the other hand, is not affected by extreme scores and gives a more accurate representation of the center of the distribution. The mode can also be influenced by extreme scores and may not always be a good measure of central tendency. Therefore, the best choice in this situation is the median.

When a Distribution of Scores Includes a Few Extreme Scores