Discussion Post: Measures of Variability and Central Tendency
Imagine you have collected information on a health-related variable for 12 study participants. For this discussion, come up with 12 different data points pertaining to one continuous variable and enter them into the first column in an Excel spreadsheet. Examples of potential variables include: age, temperature, body weight, height, systolic blood pressure, number of minutes spent exercising/day, number of miles walked, etc. You will then use the descriptive statistics option in Excel, which is explained in Chapter 1 of your course text. You should get an output similar to Figure 1.2. This output must contain the following values: mean, standard error, median, mode, standard deviation, sample variance, kurtosis, skewness, range, minimum, maximum, sum, count. Begin your discussion by identifying your variable, its unit of measurement (e.g. years for age, pounds for body weight) and report your results for each of the previously listed values. Based on this output, which single value best describes this set of data and why? If you could pick three of these values instead of only one, which three would you choose and why?
What does their data tell you about each of their fictitious study populations? Do you agree with their selections of the best value based upon their data?
The response must include a reference list. Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.