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Mode in Psychological Statistics



In psychological statistics, the mode refers to the value that appears most frequently in a data set. It's a measure of central tendency, like the mean and median, but it highlights the most common value(s) instead.

Examples:

Suppose you have a data set representing the number of hours students study per week: 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 3, 2. In this case, the mode is 3 because it appears more frequently than any other value.

Let's say you're analyzing survey responses on a Likert scale where participants rate their satisfaction from 1 to 5: 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5. Here, the mode is 4, as it is the most common response.

Mode, Median, and Mean

The mode, median, and mean are all measures of central tendency, but each one provides different insights into a data set:

  1. Mode: The value that appears most frequently in a data set. It highlights the most common observation. For example, in the data set

2,2,3,4,4,4,5

     the mode is 4.

  1. Median: The middle value in a data set when the values are arranged in ascending order. If there's an odd number of observations, the median is the middle one; if there's an even number, it's the average of the two middle values. For example, in

2,3,4,5,6

      the median is 4. In

2,3,4,5

      the median is 3+42=3.5.

  1. Mean: The arithmetic average of a data set, calculated by summing all the values and dividing by the number of observations. For example, in

2,3,4,5

      the mean is 2+3+4+54=3.5.


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A summary table


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The mode in a normal distribution

In a normal distribution, also known as a bell curve, the mode, median, and mean are all equal and located at the peak of the curve. Here's how the mode relates to the bell curve:

  1. Mode: The mode is the highest point of the bell curve, representing the most frequently occurring value in the data set.

  2. Symmetry: In a perfectly normal distribution, the bell curve is symmetric. This means the mode is at the center, along with the median and mean.

  3. Skewed Distributions: If a distribution is skewed (not symmetric), the mode may differ from the median and mean. In a positively skewed distribution, the mode is less than the median, which in turn is less than the mean. In a negatively skewed distribution, the mode is greater than the median, which is greater than the mean.


Reference for using scales in research:

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Reference for clinicians on understanding assessment

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Resource Links: 

All Measures A – Z Test Index

Spirituality Measures A - Z

Statistical Concepts A - Z


NOTICE:

The information about scales and measures is provided for clinicians and researchers based on professional publications. The links to authors, materials, and references can change. You may be able to locate details by contacting the main author of the original article or another author on the article list.


Post Author


Geoffrey W. Sutton PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology who publishes book and articles about clinical and social psychology including the psychology of religion. Website:     www.suttong.com

   

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