Most Commonly Used Measure of Dispersion
Most commonly used measure of dispersion is:
- Standard deviation — Correct Answer
- Range
- Variance
- Mean deviation
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Standard deviation
Standard deviation (S.D.) is considered the ideal and most commonly used measure of dispersion. It measures the average spread of values around the arithmetic mean and is expressed in the same units as the data.
Measures of Dispersion — Comparison
| Measure | Formula | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Range | Max − Min | Simplest; affected by extreme values |
| Mean Deviation (MD) | Mean absolute deviation from average | Least affected by extreme values |
| Standard Deviation (SD) | √Variance | Ideal measure; SD = 5/4 × MD; SD > MD always |
| Variance | SD² | Square of standard deviation |
| Standard Error (SE) | SD / √N | Relative measure; depends on sample size |
| Coefficient of Variance (CV) | (SD/AM) × 100 | Unit-free (relative measure) |
📚 About this Topic — Animal Genetics & Breeding
This multiple choice question is from Animal Genetics & Breeding, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Genetics & Breeding to strengthen your preparation.