Essay

Define the concepts of low and high variability as they relate to frequency distributions. In your explanation, describe how two distributions can compare in terms of their central tendency (mean, median, and mode) versus their variability.

Question: Define the concepts of low and high variability as they relate to frequency distributions. In your explanation, describe how two distributions can compare in terms of their central tendency (mean, median, and mode) versus their variability.

Sample answer: Variability describes how spread out the scores in a distribution are. A distribution with low variability has scores clustered closely around the center. Conversely, a distribution with high variability has scores spread across a much broader range. Two distributions can share the identical central tendency—having the same mean, median, and mode—yet possess entirely different levels of variability.

Key points:

  • Low variability means scores are clustered closely around the center.
  • High variability means scores are spread across a much broader range.
  • Two distributions can have the identical central tendency (same mean, median, and mode) but different variability.

Rubric: Answers must define low variability (scores clustered closely around the center) and high variability (scores spread across a much broader range). They must also state that two distributions can share the identical central tendency (same mean, median, and mode) while having entirely different variability.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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