Central Tendency and Variability

Understandingdescriptive statistics and their variability is a fundamental aspect ofstatistical analysis. On their own, descriptive statistics tell us howfrequently an observation occurs, what is considered “average”, and howfar data in our sample deviate from being “average.” With descriptivestatistics, we are able to provide a summary of characteristics fromboth large and small datasets. In addition to the valuable informationthey provide on their own, measures of central tendency and variabilitybecome important components in many of the statistical tests that wewill cover. Therefore, we can think about central tendency andvariability as the cornerstone to the quantitative structure we arebuilding.

For this Discussion, you will examine central tendencyand variability based on two separate variables. You will also explorethe implications for positive social change based on the results of thedata.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review this week’s Learning Resources and the Descriptive Statistics media program.
• For additional support, review the Skill Builder: Visual Displays for Categorical Variables and the Skill Builder: Visual Displays for Continuous Variables, .
• Review the Chapter 4 of the Wagner text and the examples in the SPSS software related to central tendency and variability.
• Fromthe General Social Survey dataset found in this week’s LearningResources, use the SPSS software and choose one continuous and onecategorical variable Note: this dataset will be different from your Assignment dataset).
• As you review, consider the implications for positive social change based on the results of your data.

Post, present, and report a descriptive analysis for your variables, specifically noting the following:

For your continuous variable:

1. Report the mean, median, and mode.
2. What might be the better measure for central tendency? (i.e., mean, median, or mode) and why?
3. Report the standard deviation.
4. How variable are the data?
5. How would you describe this data?
6. What sort of research question would this variable help answer that might inform social change?

Post the following information for your categorical variable:

1. A frequency distribution.
2. An appropriate measure of variation.
3. How variable are the data?
4. How would you describe this data?
5. What sort of research question would this variable help answer that might inform social change?

Besure to support your Main Post and Response Post with reference to theweek’s Learning Resources and other scholarly evidence in APA Style.