Start this discussion as soon as you’ve read the text/module info on the topic. You can start this one once we get through central tendency but note that it does include variability as well! Three posts are the minimum – one in response to my prompt below and at least two responses to the posts of other students. Use the discussion like a study group: Use your knowledge, practice, ask questions… Wrap up your discussion after participating for a few days -while you’re working on the worksheet and homework related to the topic – don’t wait too long since the next discussion opens pretty soon…

Chapters 3 & 4 – Central Tendency & Variability

You have two options for this discussion:

• Option 1: Revisit the data you used in the last discussion – but only if you had an interval level of measurement for that variable! – or you can generate some new data with something that is measured at the interval level of measurement.
• Option 2: Pull some new data from the student survey for one variable that is at the interval level of measurement.

Then, for both options:

• Calculate all measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and variability (range, sd) for your variable, and post your results (use the name of your variable as the subject of your post). Use the Table icon (looks like a grid) to make a table in which to show your calculations more organized and clear. Use the “Math Formula” icon (looks like the square-root symbol) to include the formula and your numbers in the formula. (See resources below.)
• Post at least two comments on someone else’s data – interpret what they calculated, discuss what the data mean for their variable…

Have fun with this – don’t overthink the interpretation… Practice what we’re learning in class… Just put into words what it means to get the mean, median, mode, range, and sd (separate sentences for each) and overall what they tell you (Central tendency: what do they mean? Are they all the same? different? How different? Is there skew? Which statistic is best for central tendency? Variability: what do they mean? Which statistic is best for variability?)

Click here for an example. If none of this is making any sense, re-read the text & module and re-view the refresher on these topics!