Which measure is appropriate only for categorical data?

Which measure is appropriate only for categorical data?

• A. MEAN
• B. MEDIAN
• C. RANGE
• D. MODE

Answer: (D)

This item tests which statistic can be used with purely categorical data. Categorical (nominal) data classify items into groups that have no natural order or numeric meaning. To summarize such data, you look at how often each category occurs and identify the category with the highest frequency—the mode. The mean and median require numerical values that can be added or ordered, so they don’t work with categories like hair color or brand. The range relies on numerical distances between values, which isn’t meaningful for categories. So, the mode is the appropriate measure for categorical data because it directly reflects which category is most common.

This item tests which statistic can be used with purely categorical data. Categorical (nominal) data classify items into groups that have no natural order or numeric meaning. To summarize such data, you look at how often each category occurs and identify the category with the highest frequency—the mode.

The mean and median require numerical values that can be added or ordered, so they don’t work with categories like hair color or brand. The range relies on numerical distances between values, which isn’t meaningful for categories.

So, the mode is the appropriate measure for categorical data because it directly reflects which category is most common.