.

When we are interested in studying a population we may get large number of

observations. It is not possible to grasp any idea about the characteristic when we
look at all the observations. So it better to get one single value which represents the
entire data of all observations. Such representative number is called Central value or an
average. This value is the point around which all other values of data cluster. Therefore,
it is known as the measure of location or measure of central tendency or an average since this
value is located at central point nearest to other values of the data. These values are very
useful not only in presenting overall picture of entire data, but also for the purpose of
making comparison among two or more sets of data.

Summary of when to use the mean, median and mode

Please use the following summary table to know what the best measure of central tendency is
with respect to the different types of variable.
Type of Variable
Nominal
Ordinal
Interval/Ratio (not skewed)
Interval/Ratio (skewed)

Best measure of central tendency

Mode
Median
Mean
Median

FAQs - Measures of Central Tendency

Please find below some common questions that are asked regarding measures of central
tendency, along with their answers. These FAQs are in addition to our article on measures of
central tendency found on the previous page.

What is the best measure of central tendency?

There can often be a "best" measure of central tendency with regards to the data you are
analysing, but there is no one "best" measure of central tendency. This is because whether you
use the median, mean or mode will depend on the type of data you have (see our Types of
Variable guide), such as nominal or continuous data; whether your data has outliers and/or is
skewed; and what you are trying to show from your data. Further considerations of when to use
each measure of central tendency is found in our guide on the previous page.

In a strongly skewed distribution, what is the best indicator

of central tendency?

It is usually inappropriate to use the mean in such situations where your data is skewed. You
would normally choose the median or mode, with the median usually preferred. This is discussed
on the previous page under the subtitle, "When not to use the mean".

Does all data have a median, mode and mean?

Yes and no. All continuous data has a median, mode and mean. However, strictly speaking,
ordinal data has a median and mode only, and nominal data has only a mode. However, a
consensus has not been reached among statisticians about whether the mean can be used with
ordinal data, and you can often see a mean reported for Likert data in research.

When is the mean the best measure of central tendency?

The mean is usually the best measure of central tendency to use when your data distribution is
continuous and symmetrical, such as when your data is normally distributed. However, it all
depends on what you are trying to show from your data.

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When is the mode the best measure of central tendency?

The mode is the least used of the measures of central tendency and can only be used when
dealing with nominal data. For this reason, the mode will be the best measure of central tendency
(as it is the only one appropriate to use) when dealing with nominal data. The mean and/or
median are usually preferred when dealing with all other types of data, but this does not mean it
is never used with these data types.

When is the median the best measure of central tendency?

The median is usually preferred to other measures of central tendency when your data set is
skewed (i.e., forms a skewed distribution) or you are dealing with ordinal data. However, the
mode can also be appropriate in these situations, but is not as commonly used as the median.

What is the most appropriate measure of central tendency

when the data has outliers?
The median is usually preferred in these situations because the value of the mean can be distorted
by the outliers. However, it will depend on how influential the outliers are. If they do not
significantly distort the mean, using the mean as the measure of central tendency will usually be
preferred.

In a normally distributed data set, which is greatest: mode,

median or mean?
If the data set is perfectly normal, the mean, median and mean are equal to each other (i.e., the
same value).

For any data set, which measures of central tendency have

only one value?
The median and mean can only have one value for a given data set. The mode can have more
than one value (see Mode section on previous page).

What are the characteristics of a good measure of central

tendency?
Characteristics
of
a
Good
Average
(i) It should be rigidly defined. If an average is left to the estimation of an observer and if it is not
a definite and fixed value it cannot be representative of a series. The bias of the investigator in
such cases would considerably affect the value of the average. If the average is rigidly defined;
this instability in its value would be no more, and it would always be a definite figure,
(ii) It should be based on all the observations of the series. If some of the items of the series are
not taken into account in its Calculation the average cannot be said to be a representative one. As
we shall see later on there are some averages which do not take into account all the values of a
group and to this extent they are not satisfactory averages.
(iii) It should be capable of further algebraic treatment. If an average dose not possess this
quality, its use is bound to be very limited. It will not be possible to calculate, say, the combined
average of two or more series from their individual averages; further it will not be possible to
study the average relationship of various parts of a variable if it is expressed as the sum of two or
more variables. Many other similar studies would not be possible if the average is not capable of
further
algebraic
treatment.
(iv) It should be easy to calculate and simple to follow. If the calculation of the average involves
tedious mathematical processes it will not be readily understood and its use will be confined only
to
a
limited
number
of
persons.
It
can
never
be
a
popular average. As such, one of the qualities of a good average is that it should not be too
abstract or mathematical and there should be no difficulty in its calculation. Further, the
properties of the average should be such that they can be easily understood by persons of
ordinary
intelligence.
(v) It should not be affected by fluctuations of sampling. If two independent sample studies are
made in any particular field, the averages thus obtained, should not materially differ from each
other. No doubt, when two separate enquires are made, there is bound to be a difference, in the
average values calculated but in some cases this difference would be great while in others
comparatively less. These averages in which this difference, which is technically called
"fluctuation of sampling" is less, are considered better than those in which its difference is more.
One more thing to be remembered about averages is that the items whose average is being
calculated should form a homogenous group. It is absurd to talk about the average of a man's
height and his weight. If the data from which an average is being calculated are not
homogeneous, misleading conclusions are likely to be drawn. To find out the average production
of cotton cloth per mill, if big and small mills are not separated the average would be
unrepresentative. Similarly, to study wage level in cotton mill industry of India, separate
averages should be calculated for the male and female workers. Again, adult workers should be
separately studied from the juvenile group. Thus we see that as far as possible, the data from

which an average is calculated should be a homogeneous lot. Homogeneity can be achieved

either by selecting only like items or by dividing the heterogeneous data into a number of
homogeneous groups