The arithmetic average which is obtained by summing up all the observation and dividing the total by the number of observation is called?

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The term described in the question is the 'Mean', which is also commonly known as the arithmetic average.
It is precisely calculated by summing all the values in a dataset and then dividing by the total count of those values.
This is the most frequently used measure of central tendency in statistics and research to find a representative value for a dataset.

Option B: The median is the middle-most value in a dataset that has been arranged in order of magnitude. It is a positional average, not a calculated average based on the sum of all values.
Option C: The mode is the value that appears most frequently in a dataset. It represents the most 'fashionable' or common observation, not the arithmetic average.
Option D: Standard deviation is a measure of dispersion or variability, not central tendency. It quantifies how spread out the data points are from the mean.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Measures of Central Tendency: Definition of Mean as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
In clinical practice, nurses frequently use the mean to analyze patient data, such as calculating the average blood pressure over 24 hours, mean arterial pressure (MAP), or average daily fluid intake and output.
Understanding these basic statistical concepts is crucial for interpreting medical research and applying evidence-based practice at the bedside.
What if? If a patient's daily urine output readings included one extremely high value due to a temporary diuretic effect, the median output might be a more representative measure of their typical kidney function for that period, as the mean would be skewed upwards by the outlier.

How to Approach the Question

Analyze the question stem to identify the core definition being provided.
The key phrases are 'arithmetic average', 'summing up all the observation', and 'dividing the total by the number of observation'.
Systematically review the options provided.
Recall the definition of each statistical term: Mean, Median, Mode, and Standard Deviation.
Match the definition in the question to the correct term. The provided definition is the textbook definition of the Mean.
Eliminate the other options: Median is the middle value, Mode is the most frequent value, and Standard Deviation measures data spread, not its center.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Measures of Central Tendency: Definition of Mean
Stem keywords: arithmetic average, summing up all the observation, dividing, number of observation
Lead-in keywords: is called
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 NursingResearch Suresh Sharma 5e Part 2 p. 131-133

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Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.