Problem Set 2.1: Characteristics of the Mean

Criterion: Describe a distribution.

Instructions: Read the following and answer the questions.

Data: To study perception, a researcher selects a sample of participants (n = 12) and asks them to hold pairs of objects differing in weight, but not in size, one in each hand. The researcher asks participants to report when they notice a difference in the weight of the two objects. Below is a list of the difference in weight (in pounds) when participants first noticed a difference. Answer the following questions based on the data given in the table.

Difference in Weight

4

8

9

5

12

7

6

15

10

4

8

8

1. State the following values for this set of data:

a)Mean_______

b)Median_______

c)Mode(s) _______

1. What is the shape of this distribution? Hint: Use the values of the mean, median, and mode to infer the shape of this distribution. __________________________