Different measures of data

It is essential to be able to use and understand numerical data for carrying out fieldwork and in order to reach a conclusion. Handling data properly can show trends, patterns and can allow people to predict future trends.

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

This video can not be played

Exploring the use of statistical techniques that help geographers analyse the data they deal with every day

Open Transcript

Data can be measured in a number of different ways, for example:

Skip image gallery

Image caption,
Median
This is the middle value in a list of numbers. This is found by ordering the numbers in numerical order and looking for the middle number.
Image caption,
Mean
This is the 'average'. This is calculated by adding up all the numbers and dividing by the total number of numbers.
Image caption,
Range
The difference between the largest and smallest number in a set of data.
Image caption,
Quartiles
These are the values that divide the list of numbers into equal quarters.
Image caption,
Interquartile range
This is the difference between the upper quartile and lower quartile.
Image caption,
Mode
This is the number that occurs most often in a set of data.
Image caption,
Modal class
The group with the highest frequency.

Numerical and statistical skills - AQADifferent measures of data

Different measures of data

More guides on this topic

Related links