Biostatistics often sounds intimidating to medical & pharmacy students, but at its core, it is simply a way of summarising data. Among all statistical tools, Mean, Median & Mode are the most basic & the most used.
- MEAN
The mean is the arithmetic average. The mean is obtained by adding all the values in a population or sample & dividing by the number of values that are added.
Properties of Mean:
- Uniqueness: For a given set of data, there is only one arithmetic mean.
- Simplicity: The arithmetic mean is easily understood & easy to compute.
- MEDIAN
The median of a finite set of values is that value which divides the set into two equal parts such that the number of values equal to or greater than the median is equal to the number of values equal to or less than the median.
How to Find It
Odd number of observations → Middle value
Even number → Average of the two middle values
- MODE
The mode of a set of values is the value that occurs most frequently. If all the values are different, then there is no mode; on the other hand, a set of values may have more than one mode.
Mean vs Median vs Mode: A Quick Comparison
| Measure | Best Used When | Key Strength | Main Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | Data is symmetric | Uses all values | Affected by outliers |
| Median | Data is skewed | Robust & realistic | Ignores extremes |
| Mode | Categorical data | Simple & intuitive | May be absent |
Mean, median & mode are they are essential tools in medical research.Understanding when & why to use each one improves data interpretation, clarity, & scientific credibility.
Ready to test yourself? Try identifying the mean, median, or mode for your last dataset.
MBH/PS