DED0043 Testing & Evaluation

LECTURE 9
by Tisha Nair Balakrishnan

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Learning Outcomes
Define mean. Define mode. Define median. Define range. Analyse mean, mode, median and range. Calculate variance and standard deviation.

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Guided Notes
Hughes, A, (2003). Testing for Lynch, Brian K. (2003). Language Teachers (2nd Language Assessment and Edition). Cambridge. Programme Evaluation. Edinburgh University Press. Brown, D. (2003). Language Assessment - Principles and Ekbatani, G. (2008). Classroom Practice. Pearson Measurement and Evaluation ESL. in Postsecondary ESL. Routledge. Brown, James D. (2005). Testing In Language Programs: Davidson, F. & Lynch, Brian K. A Comprehensive Guide To (2001). Testcraft: A Teacher`s

English Language Assessment.

McGraw-Hill Companies.

Guide to Writing and Using Language Test Specifications.

Yale University Press.

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Analysing Data

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Mean
The mean (or average) of a set of data values is the sum of all of the data values divided by the number of data values. That is:

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Example
The marks of seven students in a mathematics test with a maximum possible mark of 20 are given below: 15 13 18 16 14 17 12 Find the mean of this set of data values.

Solution:

So, the mean mark is 15.

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Symbolically, we can set out the solution as follows:

So, the mean mark is 15.

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Mode
The mode of a set of data values is the value(s) that occurs most often. Find the mode of the following data set: 48 44 48 45 42 49 48

Solution:
The mode is 48 since it occurs most often. Note: It is possible for a set of data values to have more than one mode. If there are two data values that occur most frequently, we say that the set of data values is bimodal. If there is no data value or data values that occur most frequently, we say that the set of data values has no mode.
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Median
The median of a set of data values is the middle value of the data set when it has been arranged in ascending order. That is, from the smallest value to the highest value.

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Example
The marks of nine students in a geography test that had a maximum possible mark of 50 are given below: 47 35 37 32 38 39 36 34 35 Find the median of this set of data values.

Solution: Arrange the data values in order from the lowest value to the highest value: 32 34 35 35 36 37 38 39 47 The fifth data value, 36, is the middle value in this arrangement. Median = 36
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Range
To find the range, you first need to find the lowest and highest values in the data. The range is found by subtracting the lowest value from the highest value.

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Example
The data values: 2,2,3,5,5,7,8 The lowest value is 2 and the highest value is 8. Subtracting the lowest from the highest gives: 8-2=6 So the range is 6
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Variance
The average of the squared differences from the Mean. To calculate the variance follow these steps:
Work out the Mean (the simple average of the numbers) Then for each number: subtract the Mean and square the result (the squared difference). Then work out the average of those squared differences.

Formula : 2 = ( x - x ) 2
n
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Example
You and your friends have just measured the heights of your dogs (in millimetres). The heights (at the shoulders) are: 600mm, 470mm, 170mm, 430mm and 300mm. Your first step is to find the Mean: Mean = 600 + 470 + 170 + 430 + 300 = 1970 = 394 5 5 To calculate the Variance, take each difference, square it, and then average the result:

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Standard Deviation
Just the square root of Variance.
Formula : =(x - x)2
n

Example
Standard Deviation: = 21,704 = 147.32... = 147 (to the nearest mm)
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