Topics:
1. Writing effective quiz answers
Required reading / viewing / listening:
Three student quizzes, posted below.
Homework due:
Homework 4 (2 points)
Read the three (anonymous) student quiz answers (below) and write a brief (250 to 400 words) page in which make a claim for one of them as the more effective set of answers. Be sure to refer to specific examples from the quizzes and the Wade & Tavris reading to support or illustrate your claims. Post your composition as a comment to this blog post no later than Tuesday 27 October.
Sample student quiz answers:
Quiz instructions: In two to three sentences, define and state the significance of the following term from the reading.
Term: Median
Answer #1:
a midpoint, a measure of central tendency.
Answer #2:
Median is the middle number. We need this in case some number is too high or too low which might effect the average but not the median.
Answer #3:
- a measure of central tendency. the value at the midpoint of the distribution of the scores when the scores are ordered from highest to lowest.
In-class assessment:
Quiz 4
Quiz questions will be drawn from the list below. Answers can be found in the UNYP Student Guide and/or lectures and class discussions.
The American bachelor's programs at UNYP use which credit system?
In the American bachelor's programs at UNYP, 1 hour of class each week across a semester usually equals how many semester credits?
In the American bachelor's programs at UNYP, most courses are how many semester credits? How many ECTS credits?
On the daily programs, most bachelor's courses meet for how many hours each week?
ESC stands for:
SUNY stands for:
Students in the American bachelor's degree programs typically become ESC students after completing how many years of study?
Students in the American bachelor's degree programs must take how many semester credits in ESC courses?
Once students in the American bachelor's programs become co-enrolled with ESC, their academic advisor is called a:
The ESC Office is located on which floor?
The ESC Prague Program Director is:
The "majors" available at UNYP are:
True/False: An American bachelor's study program at UNYP consists of a) major requirements; b) General Education requirements; c) elective courses.
An American bachelor's degree typically requires how many years of full-time study?
To earn an American bachelor's degree at UNYP, you must complete at least how many semester credits?
To earn a bachelor's degree at UNYP, your cumulative GPA must be at least:
You must take State Exams to earn a Czech / American bachelor's degree at UNYP.
What does this refer to? "As a college of arts and sciences, Empire State College expects students to acquire the qualities of a broadly educated person. The purpose of a college education is to enable students not only to accumulate information, but also to appreciate what is learned in a broad context, relate what is being learned to what is already known, judge what one is told rather than merely accept it, and use what is learned in a practical and intellectual way."
What does this refer to? "The student's learning should extend beyond a single, narrow discipline or field. The student should demonstrate an understanding of several diverse perspectives (such as historical, literary, scientific, technological, esthetic, ethical, international, multicultural and gender based) and be able to apply such perspectives to situations in which they must analyze, explain or solve problems concerning human behavor, society and the natural world."
The competencies of "critical thinking / reasoning" and "information management" are part of what requirements at UNYP?
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median is a measure of central tendency. it is a midpoint in a distribution where data is given form the highest to the lowest.these measure of central tendency is better then the mean and mode.
ReplyDeleteI think
ReplyDeleteI have read the three anonymous answers and decided that the last one is the more effective and full than another answers. "Median - is a measure of central tendency, the value at the midpoint of the distribution of the scores when the scores are ordered from highest to lowest". It is right that the median is the second measure of central tendency. In "Appendix: Statistical methods," in Wade and Tavris is said that synonym for median is "midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from highest to lowest". It is the bright proof of that the student's answer is correct and full.
ReplyDeleteFor comparison and persuasion I have found definition of the given word in Wikipedia: "Median is described as the number separating the higher half a sample, a population, or a probability distribution, from the lower half". The definition is written in other words, but the basic idea coincides.
According to the Wide and Tavris, the median is often used to describe data, in statistics. The advantage of median is that it is not affected by extreme points,and in some cases using the median allow better explain what the average is.
Median is often used for income and home prices. So that, in my opinion, it is necessary for us to know and understand what the median is.
In this case I think that answer #3 is best because it more open and more correct than others. Third answer is: median "a measure of central tendency. The value at the midpoint of the distribution of the scores when the scores are ordered from highest to lowest". In other words statistics the middle value in a frequency distribution, below and above which lie values with equal total frequencies. We well know that we can use term "median" in mathematics, it is for example "median of triangle". It is the general idea that we use the term "median" in our lives in the area of income and home price. "The median price is one of the most common measurements used to compare real estate prices in different markets, areas, and periods", "Median is the amount which divides the income distribution into two equal groups, half having income above that amount, and half having income below that amount".
ReplyDeleteGeorgios Strouthos
ReplyDeleteFirstly the term ‘median’ it can be explained as a statistical term used, and as it is said in the Appendix: Statistical methods of Wade and Tavris “when extreme scores occur, the best tendency measure is the median. In any set of scores, the same number of scores falls above the median as below it. When the number of scores in the set is odd, calculating the median is a simple matter of counting in from the ends to the middle’’.
The first answer covers only the fact that it is the best tendency measure. It is a very short answer that doesn’t sufficiently explain the term.
Both the second and third answers are 2-3 sentences long, just like the quiz question inquired for. The second answer, explains in the students’ own words the term ‘median. It covers also when it is used and when it is needed. The third answer is I think slightly mistaken. From my understanding of the appendix: statistical methods, the term ‘median’ has nothing to do with distributing scores from highest to lowest. So even though it refers to the fact that it is the best tendency measure, the further explanation provided is not right.
So after getting these facts down, and reading the meaning of the term ‘median’ in the Appendix, it is my opinion that the second answer is the best out of all three. It is sufficient, explanatory and correct.
After the quiz was made we obtained 3 different answers to the question "Define what is the Median". According to the results we got we could see that these three answers present different possible definitions of the term.
ReplyDeleteIn order to understand which one of the following definition is the most full and correspond to real definition, we need to evaluate the differences and what is in common between these answers.
As we could see, answers #1 and #3 included definition of Median as 'a measure of central tendency.' However the answer #3 is better developed in comparison to the first one. It includes explanation of what is meant by 'measure of central tendency' by explaining how scores change. This makes the definition look more scientific and easier to understand.
Answer #2 defines a term and gives the explanation of where the term could be implemented, but do not give exact definition. This make it complicated and unclear, thus less understandable.
After analyzing these three answers from the quiz, I personally believe that the answer #3 is the most full and correct definition of the term. However, it should be mentioned that sometimes the definition itself does not help to understand the term. So, this means that when it includes easier explanation of how the term can be used it is much more likely to be understood. Thus, it could be said that nor of these definitions correspond to the full one, but they are all somehow correct.
These aboved answer explain the meaning of "Median". Looking at these answer, the first answer is very vague. Furthermore, people can not understand what the midpoint is and what the measure of central tendency is. In addition, when people read something that they can not understand, it could make them bored and angry. When we clarify something, we have to focus on what we need to explain, more clearly, more specific. On the other hand, this answer is too short and curt. Someone might be do not know how to find the midpoint or what the midpoint is, even a measure of central tendency. For example, we should explain a measure of central tendency is a number intended to characterize an entire of set of data in terms of a single representative number. After that, we explain the meaning of "Median" that is a more representative measure of central tendency when extreme scores occur,or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from highest to lowest. It is interesting to say that if the number of scores in the set is odd, there will be only one middle score. However, if the number of scores in the set is even, there will be two middle scores. Personally, I think if we explain like this way that could help people understand what the writer want to explain.
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ReplyDeleteI find a second answer more effective. First difference between a second and other two is in assignment itself. In a quiz an instructor wants a description of a term «Median» in own words, in two or three sentences. So as we can see, the first and the last one contain only one sentence that does not appear to the assignment. First answer is not even a sentence and the last one is an exact definition of the term, what makes me think that a person does not really understand its meaning, just had to learn it by heart.
ReplyDeleteThe author in the book writes his explanation about Median in three paragraphs which are quite long. This answer summarizes these paragraphs well and gives a simple but a good definition of the term Median. It does not contain difficult terms of explanation and gives a good overview what the term actually means.
According to the Wade & Tavris reading, the median is “… measure of central tendency, or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from highest to lowest”. This is my key for evaluating three given answers. In my opinion, all of the answers are acceptable, although some of them are better and clearer than the others. Answer number one: “a midpoint, a measure of central tendency” is simple, but fulfills all the given criteria. However, it is quite short. From my point of view, answer number one is not the best answer, although it is probably acceptable. Answer number two: “Median is the middle number. We need this in case some number is too high or too low which might effect the average but not the median” is not very coherent and persuasive. It looks like the person who wrote this answer knows something about the median, but he is not able to define it correctly or phrase it in expected style. Answer number two is maybe little better than answer number one, but it is still not the best one. Both, answer number one and answer number two, are not bad, but are not perfect. Answer number three: “a measure of central tendency. the value at the midpoint of the distribution of the scores when the scores are ordered from highest to lowest” is the most coherent, clear and persuasive answer. It is the same definition that we can find in the reading from Wade & Tavris.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the median? Every of those answers are true. Some of them answer the question more on detail or less.We can distinguish from the first look that the answer number two is for laic the most understandable answer.
ReplyDeleteThe answer number one is the worse one.It does not corresponding with the question becouse it is not answered in sentences. What is more the definition of the term median are just two phrases which define the term median only globally.
The answers number two and number three are more effective answers. They define the term median globally by saying that it is the middle number and then continue on describing it. Number two clearly define it by saying:"We need this number in case some number is too high or too low." The only one small mistake which is here is changing the word "effect" and use the word "affect" instead of it which means influance. This answer will be understandableas for the professor in the univeristy and also for laic.
The last number is number three which is definition of the statistical term median. The people who are not famous with statistics or mathematics could have problems of understanding it.
As a conclusion of all those answers the second and third answer are the most understandable and efficient for answering the question. It also depends who is going to be the audience for the certain answer.
Oleg Svarkov
Kamil Loavs
ReplyDeleteIntroduction to University Studies
27.10.1009
Student quiz answers
I have red three student`s definition and I now I am supposed to decide which one is the most effective.
At the book Wade and Trawis, the definition of median is as follows: “When extreme score occur, a more representative measure of central tendency is the median or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from highest to lowest. In any set of scores, the same number of scores falls above the median as below it. The median is not affected by extreme scores.”
At the first answer, the definition is explained very briefly. The answer is correct; however I think that I would not be able to understand the meaning of “median”. This answer comes to me incomplete. The author of the answer should be more specific.
According of my opinion, the second definition seems to be the most effective. The answer clearly explains what the median is and the practical use of the median. I think that this answer would be useful for anybody who wants to easily understand the meaning of “median” and has no previous experiences with statistics.
The last definition is also very good. The definition is also clearly saying what the median is and how to apply it; however I miss here an explanation why we use median.
At the conclusion I would like to just revise my opinions which answer was the most effective for me. I would say that the second one is the most effective. The last one was also very good, but little bit worse than the second one. And finally the first one; I think that this definition is not enough effective for me to understand what the median is.
Before I started to write, I want to make a definition of the Median. Median is described as the number separating the higher half of a sample, or population, or a probability distribution, from the lower half.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the answer #3, that the Median is the value at the midpoint of the distribution of the scores when the scores are ordered from highest to lowest. Owing to this two topics, I can make a possible answer, what the Median is and how to deduce it. In my point of view the Median can be found by arranging all the observations from lowest value to highest value and remove the middle one. We use the Median to find a middle point of all the scores achieved. It used in schools, college, magazine, math, physics and all other life occasions. For example, if we need to count an average, at first, we write all the things started from lowest to high or on the contrary, it does not matter. Then, we have to summaries each number of things that we need to count. After that, when we got the sum of all counted numbers we divide it to the number of all counted things. Thus, we would get the Median from highest to lowest. That is the reason why I am agreeing with the answer #3. The Answer given in students quiz answer is widely observed and explained, that gives us quite good and exact understanding how to do this calculations and what this is for.
I agree with answer number three. What means that median is a measure of central tendency, the value at the midpoint of the distribution of the scores when the scores are ordered from highest to lowest.. Why I think this answer is right? Because in Appendix we could read that ”When extreme scores occur, a more representative a measure of central tendency is the median, or midpoint is a set of scores or observations ordered from highest to lowest.”
ReplyDeleteFirstly I thought that the right answer is number one. What is still possible because I am not sure if I’m correct. Reason why I choose three is that is more specific than number one. In our Appendix we have quite long paragraph about median but in my eyes is not that clear.
About answer two what is “Median is the middle number. We need this in case some number is too high or too low which might effect the average but not the median.” I think this answer is not sure because is our appendix is that median is middle number if the number of scores in the set is even. If it’s odd the median is from the ends to the middle.
I’m sorry if this homework is not correct but I. not sure how I could write it. I think I couldn’t understand homework question. I tried to call my classmates but they weren’t sure too. I hope I did this homework well cause I tried but sometimes trying is not enough.
Adam Čížek
According to the Wade and Travis the exact description or definition of a term “median” is: “When extreme scores occur, more representative measure of central tendency is the median, or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from highest to lowest. In any set of scores, the same number of scores falls above the median as below it. The median is not affected by extreme scores.”
ReplyDeleteAs we can see, all students’ answers contain some information from the definition but none of them describe a word median precisely. Even though, I think answer number three seems to be the closest to the Wade and Travis description.
Answer number one listed just key terms or words from the quotation but there is no further explanation. This answer claims that median is a midpoint, a measure of a central tendency. But that is obviously not enough because we can ask question midpoint of what? Answer number one is short, inadequate and not clear for understanding the meaning of a term median.
As we move to the next answer, we find out that this explanation may seem clear to us but it is not matching the definition. Student writing this answer definitely understood the meaning, but he used his own words, words that do not occur in the description of a term median.
Finally answer number three appears to be the best for me. It has a form of definition, not like in answer number two where student used word we for derogation of the explanation. This answer contains the exact terms from the definition and it makes sense when we look at the Wade and Travis description.
Katarina Korcova
ReplyDeleteOctober 28, 2009
I think the best answer to this question is answer #2 because it is correct and explains the answer with clarity. Median is, indeed the the middle number and it is very useful when the average might be thrown off by an extreme number from either end (too high or too low). I think this answer, or an answer similar to this is a good example of how quiz questions should be answered. Answer #1 is too brief, and does not follow the instructions which state that the question is to be answered in two to three sentences. This answer is also missing the significance of the median. Answer #3 is also a good answer. I think it explains the median well, and gives a dictionary definition as well as its significance. All three students answered the question correctly, but answer #1 probably didn’t read the directions, and answers 2 and 3 would be most acceptable.
Name: Ilona Bartuskova
ReplyDeleteI consider the most effective answer is number 3. The person well defined the meaning of the term “median” and he or she seems to be familiar with this.
It is obvious that the person used the Appendix from Wade & Tavris reading. It tells “when extreme scores occur, a more representative measure of central tendency is the median”. It gives a support to the person´s first explanation of the term median. I found interesting this statement: “the median is not affected by extreme scores”. The person only rewrite what occurs in the Appendix. I do not think it is bad, because the Appenix is where he or she was suppossed to find the answer. The person did not give any example of the term median, which is vivid in the first paragraph of article. With this help, readers are able to better understand the meaning and how it can be used.
Another part of person´s answer is also from the second paragraph. It shows the sequence – from highest to lowest and closer conception.
It is apparent that the article can entertain about more points and views of the term “median”. The article is informative and demonstrates great examples. I really like the one at the beginning with using a real world instance which everyone can imagine. The first paragrapgh should be always informative, attaches readers so they want to continue and shows interesting examples what everyone knows.
I think the answer explains the main points of the article, briefly and well-arranged. It brings clear idea about the term and it is comprehending.
In the text "Appendix: Statistical methods" in Wade & Tavris, Psychology, 7th edition the term "median" is defined like this:
ReplyDelete"When extreme scores occur, a more representative measure of central tendency is the median, or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from the highest to the lowest. (...) calculating the median is a simple matter of counting from the ends to the middle." (page 741)
The given assignment was: Define and state on the significance of the following term from the reading: median.
In my view answer B is the best and most effective because it fulfills the assignment as required. Furthermore, it explains the term in own words unlike the other two. In comparisn to answer A, which only gives a definition of the term and this definition only consists out of expressions from the text, and does not explain anthing else about the term, answer B demonstrates a clear definiton. It also refers to the text by mentioning the impact of very high or very low scores.
Unlike answer C, which gives a definition that is neither enough nor well understandable and also only taken from the text, answer B states the significance or the importance of the term "median". The structure of answer C is too complicated and therefore not quite understandable. It is more confusing than explaining or stating.
So all in all, I consider answer B to be the best and most effective answer out of those three answers. It fulfills all the demanded tasks of the assignment, it refers to the text and its structure is very well understandable and easy to follow. Nevertheless, the explanation is short and effective.
Midpoint is the middle point of a line segment. Also called median. It's set of scores from highest to lowest. It's equidistant from both endpoints. It's my definition but from those of three anonymous answers third one is the best. Question is defined by the best way. The answer really explains the question. 1st answer is also true but it's not good because it doesn't explains the whole topic. During answering the quiestion we must answer it comletly, that is, answer all parts of the question. Answer must be well organized and well suported, fully explained like the third one.
ReplyDeleteAs we can see all answers contain right meaning. But not all of them suit for the right answer. As we know, right answer should answer the question in the best way, relying on the source, where we got information from. Or, in another words, we should extract only these words, which fully express meaning of terminus. Our answer should not be long; it should contain only important things about median, for example.
ReplyDeleteFirst answer contains right meaning, but it is too short and it lost main characteristic, that median shows midpoint in a set of scores, ordered from highest to lowest.
The second answer is expressed by usual words; I think this type of answer will be useful to explain this terminus to common people, in other words, this type of answer doesn’t suit the role of right one. However, it’s obvious from the first glance – simplicity of language, used for building definition and long sentences instead of short and containing the same meaning, which were used in the article.
Third answer, in my opinion, is the best of these three. It’s full of meaning and fully identical to the expression, written in the article. Sentences contain main things that we should know about median. This answer fully express to us meaning of this word “median” and shows us when it used: “when the scores are ordered from highest to lowest”.
To conclude, I think, third answer is more suitable like the right answer. This last expression contains the same expression as in the article.
Mullin Viktor
In the article "Appendix:Statistical methods"by Wade & Tarvis, Psychology, the term "median is defined like this:"When extreme scores occur,a more representative measure of central tendency is the median,or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from the highest to lowest".
ReplyDeleteFrom my point of view all answers contain the right meaning,but the third one is the best one!
But lew us now look at all the three answes and compare them:
Answer#1,only gives a definition of the term and does not explain anything else.
Answer#2,is explained by usual words not by academic style writing.In addition i think this type of answer of the definition would be very understandable to people of any academic level.
Answer#3,the person really elucidated the meaning of the word "median",that the median can be sorting data from lowest to highest and taking data in the middle of sequences.
In connection with what has been written in my comment I want to conclude that the question is defined by the best way in the third example i.e.the answer really explains the question.
Abdyldaev Arsen 22203
Katarína Zubová
ReplyDeleteIntroduction to university studies
29.10.2009
The most effective answer like a definition of median is, for me, the second one: “Median is the middle number. We need this in case some number is too high or too low which might effect the average but not the median.” I chose this answer, because it is clear, easy to understand. The sentence is not included complicated words. It can explain me the median more effective like the two others. The first one is too short. It is not a sentence, it is just a few words which are putting together for some kind of definition. First of all, if I want to understand what the median is, by the first answer, I need to know what does it mean central tendency. If I do not know, I cannot understand the answer. I is very specific, very academic. In the test the first is maybe the best one. Short and easy to understand to professor. Bud does it mean that he student understand, really know, what media is? Or he or she just learns it by heart?
I chose the second one, because student wrote it by his own words. Describe it. Not just wrote what he memorized. From the second answer we can say, that student totally understands what the median is. I think that the first one is the same as the third one. Yes there are some differences, such as the third one is more elaborate. But in a principle there are same. There are no own words, no evidence that student understand it. It is just a thesis.
If I compare the second one with the third one, I think they are similar to each other. The third one is better said second sentence. It is more academic, more theoretic. On the other side is more useful. If I want to introduce someone, what is the median I will do by the second sentence. If I want to explain to teacher what is the median I will choose the second one. It is clearly, better.
Karina Shavaleyeva
ReplyDeleteTo begin with, let us look on the original explanation of the term MEDIAN
As we see from the definition of Median which is repersented in Wade's and Trawis's Appendix, "median, or midpoin in a set of scores or observations ordered from highest to lowes".
Now we have three anonymos explanation of this term. All three are right, but two of them are not quite full and clear.
To my opinion, the best answer is number two:"Median is a middle number. We need this in case some number is too high or too low which might effect the average but not the median". I find it more clear explained than others.
As we see so far from the first definition: Median is a midpoint, a mesure of central tendency. I think that this explanation is not not full and does not explains the overall meaning of the term. But nevertheless, it will not be true to say that it is wrong definition. The problem with this explanation is that it is only half true.
According to third definition, median is a "mesure of central tendency" and so on. I find this explanation too difficult to understan and too confusing.
As i have explained in this post, i find answer number two better than others, because it it explains the full meaning of the term MEDIAN.
Dulkairova Malika
ReplyDelete29 October 2009
In my point of view the third students answer is more suitable in that case because it includes more extensive definition of the median.
It is written there that median is "a measure of central tendency. The value at the midpoint of the distribution of the scores when the scores are ordered from highest to lowest". So I think that this answer fits more to the original definition given by Wade & Tavris in "Appendix: statistical method" where it is said that " a more representative measure of central tendency is the median, or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from highest to lowest". However the second answer is also acceptable and in some points is much better because the third answer looks like the original definition from the text and the second answer is a rephrased definition which means that the student can fully understand the meaning of the median and can describe it in his own words. But during our studies we meet a lot of new words and rules that we have to learn as they appear in the text books and when we are asked to define them we are demanded to give the full answer and definition. So that’s why I would choose the third answer as the best one.
As we see all students' answers share the same idea and include information from the definition, but none of them givs a specific and detailed description of the word "mean". However, in my opinion the third answer gives us the most precise definition among three answers. First of all it almost perfectly matches the book;s explanation of the term, and secondly the person who wrote it, seems ti be familiar with it. First answer also contains the right meaning, but it's way too short and brief, and it lost the main points of the topic. The second answer is easily explained, and is vaguely expressed, in other words, it doesn't match the right definition that would be used in the books. Finally, I would like to conclude that the third answer is the most understandable, and it contains detailed and briefly arranged information about the term, and it would be efficient for answering this question.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion,the most effective answer is #3.According to reading Appendix: Statistical methods of Wade and Tavris,it is explained that the on this way:Median or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from the highest to lowest.The first answer is approximately correct,median is a measure of central tendency,but there is no any explanation what does mean term "median",so I think that first answer is quite incomplete.The second answer is completely wrong.If you are explaining something,you can not say that the term that you are explaining does not effect itself.The appropriate answer is answer #3,which give us the right meaning of given term.
ReplyDelete‘A measure of central tendency. The value at the midpoint of the distribution of the scores when the scores are ordered from highest to lowest’.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to three given answers, the answer above is, according to ‘Psychology’ textbook by C. Wade and C.Tavris, is precise definition of the term ‘median.’ In fact, the part of explanation, given by authors, runs as follow: ‘When extreme scores occur, a more representative measure of central tendency is the median, or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from highest to lowest.’ It is also important to add that ‘the median is not affected by extreme scores (Wade and Tavris, 1998, p. 741) ). However, the term itself clearly refers to values and not numbers, which is the explanation point in the answer two. Clearly, when a certain set of statistics, a.k.a. set of numbers is given, a slightest change towards enlarging the highest number or consequently diminishing the lowest number will affect the statistical midpoint, or rather an average of the whole calculation.
It is also clear that the answer one, namely ‘A midpoint, a measure of central tendency’ lacks the correct explanation as well, or rather, the given explanation, or the short answer in this case, is very much misleading, because the words ‘central tendency’ is not necessary a constant measure. In the other words, a central tendency tends to shift to other direction, depending on the rest of numbers, or variables. This is why, yet again, the third answer is correct.
Alexander Mikhaylou
In my opinion the most effective set of answers is the last one, which says "Median - a measure of central tendency. the value at the midpoint of the distribution of the scores when the scores are ordered from highest to lowest." Basically, what does the term "median" mean? Median is something between the higher half of a sample and the lower one. It is average measure, midpoint of all scores. So in this case we can see that all of the answers are correct. But the task was to refer to Wade and Travis reading and on the ground of this to appreciate which of the student's answers is the most suitable. So, what is according to Wade and Travis? The exact definition of the term "median" is "when extreme scores occur, more representative measure of central tendency is the median, or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from highest to lowest. In any set of scores, the same number of scores falls above the median as below it." The first answer is short, not full enough and it doesn't show the whole definition of the term, just a main point. The second answer is quite clear, full but this student reproduced the meaning of the term in he's own words so it's also not exact definition. Therefore the most effective, suitable and correct answer.
ReplyDeleteSayat Zabikh
ReplyDeleteIntroduction to university studies
Homework 4
10/29/2009
Having compared three different interpretations, which were given by students on their quiz, of the term «the median» with each other, I drew a conclusion that the third answer is the most suitable answer to the task.
In my opinion, the answer number three describes «the median» more precisely than the other two. Even if the first answer has some key words that give a precise definition to the term too, however, it is too brief and not considered to be a full answer: «a midpoint, a measure of central tendency». As regards the second answer, I found it a bit inappropriate. The reason for that is it shows us why we need to use the median: «we need this in case some number is too high or low…». Having taken into account all nuance, I decided to choose the third answer as the best explanation of the term «the median».
From the definition given in the reading «statistical methods: appendix» of Wade & Tavris, «the median» is defined as «when extreme scores occur, a more representative measure of central tendency is the median, or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from highest to lowest; in any set of scores, the same number of scores falls above the median as below it…» which is written almost in the same way as the third answer.
In the final analysis, I found that all these three answers mean the same, but they all are different in the way they interpret one term, and because of that they might be separated into a column of effective and ineffective sentences.
After the reading and visiting lessons,on which we discussed term Median, the third answer is more clearly define. On the one hand the third defenition is more acceptable,but on the other hand the other two defenitions answer the question too. The 'median' is used in the area of income and home price. In my opinion we can use all of them.
ReplyDeleteThere is no right or wrong answers. It is just more developed or undeveloped answers, three of them are all correct definitions.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I recommend to people to remember as a second (answer#2) or third (#3) definition.
This is because; answer#1 can be too weak and very easy to misunderstand to people’s mind. Therefore, I would say to use second or third definition.
Moreover, also from this point we can separate again as a core definition or supplement definition. (Second, third answers).
To start with, second answer is not exactly right answer for Median. I would say that, second one is the supplementary definition not the core definition. If you compare with the third definition from the text, you will see that, answer#3 comes first then answer#2 comes.
Page 662 from the title of “The Median” come down 13 sentences then you will find the definition of Median. (When the extreme scores occur, amore representative measure of central tendency is the Median, or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from the highest to lowest.) This is the core definition from the text and it matches with the website answer#3. After one more sentence down (The Median is not affected by extreme scores.) this is the supplement definition from the text and it matches with the website answer#2.
In conclusion, I strongly say my claim that, answer#3 can be the best definition for the Median. This is because, answer#2 is the only supplement and it comes after the third definition (answer#3) from the text.
Seok Hun Lee
There is no right or wrong answers. It is just more developed or undeveloped answers, three of them are all correct definitions.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I recommend to people to remember as a second (answer#2) or third (#3) definition.
This is because; answer#1 can be too weak and very easy to misunderstand to people’s mind. Therefore, I would say to use second or third definition.
Moreover, also from this point we can separate again as a core definition or supplement definition. (Second, third answers).
To start with, second answer is not exactly right answer for Median. I would say that, second one is the supplementary definition not the core definition. If you compare with the third definition from the text, you will see that, answer#3 comes first then answer#2 comes.
Page 662 from the title of “The Median” come down 13 sentences then you will find the definition of Median. (When the extreme scores occur, amore representative measure of central tendency is the Median, or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from the highest to lowest.) This is the core definition from the text and it matches with the website answer#3. After one more sentence down (The Median is not affected by extreme scores.) this is the supplement definition from the text and it matches with the website answer#2.
In conclusion, I strongly say my claim that, answer#3 can be the best definition for the Median. This is because, answer#2 is the only supplement and it comes after the third definition (answer#3) from the text.
Seok Hun Lee
There is no right or wrong answers. It is just more developed or undeveloped answers, three of them are all correct definitions.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I recommend to people to remember as a second (answer#2) or third (#3) definition.
This is because; answer#1 can be too weak and very easy to misunderstand to people’s mind. Therefore, I would say to use second or third definition.
Moreover, also from this point we can separate again as a core definition or supplement definition. (Second, third answers).
To start with, second answer is not exactly right answer for Median. I would say that, second one is the supplementary definition not the core definition. If you compare with the third definition from the text, you will see that, answer#3 comes first then answer#2 comes.
Page 662 from the title of “The Median” come down 13 sentences then you will find the definition of Median. (When the extreme scores occur, amore representative measure of central tendency is the Median, or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from the highest to lowest.) This is the core definition from the text and it matches with the website answer#3. After one more sentence down (The Median is not affected by extreme scores.) this is the supplement definition from the text and it matches with the website answer#2.
In conclusion, I strongly say my claim that, answer#3 can be the best definition for the Median. This is because, answer#2 is the only supplement and it comes after the third definition (answer#3) from the text.
Seok Hun Lee
There is no right or wrong answers. It is just more developed or undeveloped answers, three of them are all correct definitions.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I recommend to people to remember as a second (answer#2) or third (#3) definition.
This is because; answer#1 can be too weak and very easy to misunderstand to people’s mind. Therefore, I would say to use second or third definition.
Moreover, also from this point we can separate again as a core definition or supplement definition. (Second, third answers).
To start with, second answer is not exactly right answer for Median. I would say that, second one is the supplementary definition not the core definition. If you compare with the third definition from the text, you will see that, answer#3 comes first then answer#2 comes.
Page 662 from the title of “The Median” come down 13 sentences then you will find the definition of Median. (When the extreme scores occur, amore representative measure of central tendency is the Median, or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from the highest to lowest.) This is the core definition from the text and it matches with the website answer#3. After one more sentence down (The Median is not affected by extreme scores.) this is the supplement definition from the text and it matches with the website answer#2.
In conclusion, I strongly say my claim that, answer#3 can be the best definition for the Median. This is because, answer#2 is the only supplement and it comes after the third definition (answer#3) from the text.
Seok Hun Lee
Vu Tuan Anh
ReplyDeleteWhen we take a look at the results it might be clear on the first sight that the shortest answer is usually vague and missing some important parts which needed to be clarified first. Only a minority of people can express such a complex answer into such short claim.
From the first claim we can get the information that a midpoint is a measure of central tendency and then nothing else because it’s only a clarification what does the term mean. There’s no clue about the purpose of the term (although students can argue that the measure of central tendency is for measuring the central tendency so it’s explaining the purpose itself).
The other two answers are more or less the same length but differ in the meaning of the answers. The second answer tells us what the term is and why do we need median but lack one important thing. The most important thing the student didn’t mention is how the term is used therefore a reader who will not know anything about the topic could understand that wrong. I personally would think that median is just the middle number from any numbers we randomly pick-
Finally when we analyze the third answer there’s both the explanation of the term and what is it used for. It contains the main ideas which are paraphrased from the Wade and Tavris’s article Appendix: Statistical methods therefore I think it’s the most effective answers of all 3 given above.
Every teacher wants different answers, it also depends on the subject learning itself. But I would say that from three answers written by anonymous students the third one is the one which was written as the best one. It states what median is, explains pretty simply what the median is. I like the fact that it's written in points, which makes the answer much clearer. The answer number one does not explain the idea of mean clearly, to little said. And the answer number two is written in sentences, which is harder too concentrate on. It also says- we need it- which is not the best way how to write the right quiz answer. According to Wade and Tavris all three definitions are right.
ReplyDeleteThe term MEDIAN is something like a middle point. It is used when we want to divide lower half from higher half. Basically we can just use constant to calculate median ,or here is the simplest example, that what is median example we would take amount of money people have and we would put them to line in order form the lowest amount of money to the highest amount of money. Than we would just take the one person exactly in the middle and that would be a median. Now the three questions. In my point of view all of these three answers are right. We just have to chose the best one. Answer number one : ’’a midpoint, a measure of central tendency’’ is right, but it is not that clear or specific. Answer two is good enough too, however the specification is not as deep as it could be. This means, that answer number three is the best one from these. IS the most specific one. I just think it is like this, but I can be wrong. Who knows… The thing is , that everybody has different point of views so everybody can answer this homework assignment differently. I hope I answer everything what I had to.
ReplyDeleteLUKAS BENKO
For answer to the question we have to read a text about Median in Appendix: Statistical methods," in Wade & Tavris, Psychology, 7th ed.
ReplyDeleteMedian is a midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from highest to lowest or a more representative measure of central tendency when extreme scores occur.
We need median for example in calculating of a town`s mean income, because one millionaire in town would offset hundreds of poor people. In this case the mean income would be a misleading indication of the town`s actual wealth.
Now after we have read the article, we have three answers to the question: In two to three sentences, define and state the significance of the term Median from the reading.
All of the answers above are correct, but if the question includes define and state, the first answer : Midpoint, a measure of central tendency, is short and not so good like the others.
The second one is much better, but the explanation is not on student level of thinking.I think that the answer is good, but from or for child.
In my opinion, the last one is the best. The answer is clear, logical and the content of answer is on university-students level.
Of course everybody can answer this homework differently, but my opinion is above.
Zamrzla Lukas
Beatrice Jahodová
ReplyDeleteAccording to the text „ Appendix:Statistical methods“ from Wade & Tavris the definiton of
a term „median“ is : „When extreme scores occur, a more representative measure of central
tendency is the median, or midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from highest
to lowest. In any set of scores, the same number of scores falls above the median as below it.
The median is not affected by extreme scores“
I think that the answer # 1 is quite deficient. It's true that „median“ is a measure of central tendency,but it's not the exact definition. In my opinion the answer # 2 isn't the best,because it only explains why does the median exist. In our text we can read : „(...)one extremly high score can dramatically
raise the mean (and one extremly low score can dramatically lower it). In real life, this can be serious problem.“ This answer describe why and when the median is used, but not what that term means.
I think that the most accurate and most satisfactory answer is the answer number 3 : „a measure of central tendency. the value at the midpoint of the distribution of the scores when the scores are ordered from highest to lowest“ In my view this is the clearest answer. It is also similar to the definition which we can
find in our text. Maybe these three answers together can make the best one, because it's difficult to write the definition in two sentences.
After my searching I decided that answer number 3 is correct. The term median have a lot of meanings. According to my searching on www.thefreedictionary.com there are five possible meaning at diferent kinds of dictionaries. In Mathematics/Geometry It's mean a "straight line joining one vertex of a triangle to the midpoint of the opposite side".
ReplyDeleteAt the mathematic/Statistic dictionary I find " statisticks the middle number or everage of the two middle numbers in an ordered sequence of number 7 is the median of both 1, 7, 31, and 2, 5, 9, 16 ".
To be sure that this source is good I start searching in my Oxford dictionary of English and I found there that median means " the middle value of a series of numbers arranged in order of size. It gave me similarities and I look at the table A3 wich show us whats meen median .
This was enought information for me and I decide for 3 rd answer " median means " a measure of central tendency. The value of the midpoint of the distribution of the scores, when the scores are ordered from hightest to lowest".
However one question has been asked, we obtained three entirely diverse answers. All of them are correct or at least acceptable, nevertheless incomplete, not providing the exact and full definition.
ReplyDeleteThe first answer saying that median is a midpoint, a measure of central tendency is truth, but in the same manner it is only part of the definition. I would say that this is the initial statement that should be given but is also insufficient on its own and needs to be broaden much further in order to fully answer the question.
In term of second answer claiming that: “Median is the middle number. We need this in case some number is too high or too low which might effect the average but not the median,” I think there are a few basic mistakes. The provided information is very general, even though the author tried to explain how median works or set an example how could be used. In my point of view, this answer should be more specific and contextual. One possibility would be to mention that median is measure of central tendency first, so that reader gets clear idea what is going to be explained, and then define in their own words and give an example to illustrate possible use. Moreover, the given example is not very accurate saying that “some number is too hight or too low” concerning that reader does not know yet they talk about particular set of scores or numbers which I find to be quite important.
In my opinion the third answer is the best one and the most accurate out of those three. It also corresponds with Wade & Tavris reading, although could be broaden and explained more further.
Radomir Dolezal
All of these answers seem to attempt to put forth the same message.
ReplyDeleteAnswer #1 is correct stating that the median is a midpoint and a measure of central tendency. Appendix of Wade & Tavris states the same (although also more) in the same words. However Answer #1 did not fully answer the question. Answer #1 provides for a short definition (not explanatory) but does not state the significance. Although someone who understands the topic might infer this, it is not clear whether the one who provide this answer truly understands the topic, or the question.
Answer #2 provided for a valid definition in his/her own words. This indicates understanding. Answer #2 also provides for explanation on the significance of the median, stating why “we need this”. The language of the answer is not academic, and the second part of the answer may be questionable. Own words signal understanding, but at the same time, the incompleteness of the answer questions the understanding. It is not a necessity from the answer provided that the quiz taker understands. But this answer has attempted to answer the question fully.
Answer #3 provides for a comprehensive definition of the term, practically identical to the one found in the appendix of Wade & Tavris. The significance is not explained, although it might be inferred from the definition, it is simply not attempted to answer the second part of the question. Although it could be argued that the answer is “sufficient”, it is not clear whether the quiz taker understands the application of the median.
Answer #1 ignores the instructions that the answer should actually take two to three sentences and does not provide for a full answer.
Answer #2 shows that the quiz taker knows what a median is and shows also a promise that the student understands the application, thus the significance.
Answer #3 provides for comprehensive definition, but no significance evaluation.
Answer #2 has a chance to get full marks, as it answers the question fully, and although it is not as comprehensive as the answer #3, it also shows that the student actually understands the topic. The comprehensive answer might just as well be only memorized, and not understood.
Martin Balaz
I think that the second answer is definitely the best one. The reason why I say so are simple.
ReplyDeleteMainly, the answer is written in the authors own words, which gives an impression that he really read the article and that he knows what he’s talking about. The author is able to talk about the subject without repeating someone’s ideas. Thanks to this fact the answer is clear, simple and easily understandable for anyone. Even a person possessing no knowledge about statistics would be able to understand the definition.
On the other hand, it’s missing important information. It doesn’t class the word into some statistical group. Other answers express that the median is “a measure of central tendency”. I think that it’s quite essential to mention it. Still, this answer seems to me the best of these three.
The first answer is too general and doesn’t really express the real meaning of the Median. The author of the first answer tried to be concise and simple, but as the result, the definition is too general and doesn’t tell us the crucial information. I understand why he or she does this, but it doesn’t give the wanted answer at all.
The last answer is a total repeating of the explanation from the article. I think that almost everyone is able to learn the exact definition without knowing what it means. It takes much more skills to understand the problem and being able to explain to others in your own words.
To sum up, if I have to pick one answer from these three, I would pick the second one for sure. It’s clear, concise and said in the author’s own words.
Bella Netolická
After reading these three answers from people who were asked to explain the definition of the word median, I believe that the third answer has the best structure and also the best explanation of the word. If we want to see the differences between these answers we have to analyze them.
ReplyDeleteWe could compare the first answer and the third answer. The two answers both say: - “a measure of central tendency”. Although this is a true statement, this is not enough for an explanation. That is why I think the first answer is not good, because that is almost all it says. The third answer on the other hand keeps going and explains the word median more. If we take a look at the second answer, we will see that although it is not necessarily wrong, it does not look like the person who wrote it is very certain about what he is saying, in my opinion the second answer is too vague. The second answer is confusing and not really clear on what it says. The only real fact it states is: - “median is the middle number” and that in my opinion does not say enough.
All these three answers were not wrong, but the first one was too short and not well explained and the second one although it was in the persons own words, it was far too vague and the writer seemed unsure of what he was saying. So in my opinion the third answer was the most effective and best described.
In my opinion, out of the three quiz answers, #3 is probably the most effective way to answer a quiz question. It is imperative that students read the question fully and answer all parts of it. This was the case of #3.
ReplyDeleteThe first answer was very clear and coherent, however did not satisfy what the question asked for. The answer was to be from two to three sentences, which this answer did not exactly fulfill. Despite the fact that the question was answered correctly, the definition “midpoint” does not exactly state what procedures are used to identify it. As the Wade & Tavris reading claims that a "midpoint in a set of scores or observations ordered from highest to lowest”, which would have probably been a more suitable answer than simply stating “midpoint”.
The second quiz answer is also true, yet again lacks one of the three requirements the answer is meant to fulfill, based on the directions. The answer is two sentences long, which is the required amount, and answers both the definition and the significance. However, this type of answer is slightly confusing and not exactly coherent. The first part of the answer states that a median is “the middle number”, but it is the middle number of what? Further on, the answer states the significance of the median, but in a slightly confusing way, which makes this answer incomplete.
Finally, in my opinion, the third answer is the best way of answering a quiz question. It states that a median is the middle number when arranging the numbers from highest to lowest- which is essentially what was written in Appendix: Statistical Methods. The first part of the question also states its significance- that it is a measure of central tendency. The answer is answered in two sentences, which is what the question demands. In this way, I believe that the third answer is the best way to answer a quiz question.