Median for Grouped Data Estimating the central tendency of data arranged in a frequency distribution.

Q8 of the Sherony Systems questionnaire measured Age as grouped data. Q8. How old are you? (1)24 or younger

(2)25 - 40

(3)41 or older

To calculate the median you must:

1. Use SPSS to prepare a frequency distribution that shows frequency of observations within each class interval.

Analyze>Descriptive Statistics>Frequencies
SPSS OUTPUT

Age of respondent Frequency 24 and younger 48 25-40 74 41 and older 72 Total 194 Percent 24.7 38.1 37.1 100.0 Valid Percent 24.7 38.1 37.1 100.0 Cumulative Percent 24.7 62.9 100.0

Valid

2. Apply the formula for the median.

n 2

Med = Bl +(

-cfp fm

)i

where: Bl = lower bound of class containing the median n = sample size cfp = cumulative frequency of all classes preceding the class containing the median fm = frequency of the class containing the median i = width of the interval containing the median

Med = Bl +(

n 2

-cfp fm

)i

= 25 +(

194 2

- 48

) 15

= 34.93

74

class containing the median is 25 - 40 Bl = lower bound of class containing the median = 25 n = sample size = 194 cfp = fm = i = cumulative frequency of all classes preceding the class containing the median = 48 frequency of the class containing the median = 74 width of the interval containing the median = 40 25 = 15
Age of respondent Frequency Valid 24 and younger 48 74 median 25-40 41 and older 72 Total 194 Percent 24.7 38.1 37.1 100.0 Valid Percent 24.7 38.1 37.1 100.0 Cumulative Percent 24.7 62.9 100.0

class containing