This article is designed for both new and existing Qualee clients.
If you haven't read our related articles on Qualee Engagement, we highly recommend that you do so before you proceed.
What is a Median?
The median is also known as the 50th percentile, is a statistical measure that represents the middle value in a dataset when the values are arranged in ascending or descending order. It is used in various situations to summarize data and make comparisons.
When is a Median used?
Here are some common scenarios when using a median score is appropriate:
Skewed data: When your dataset contains extreme values or is skewed, the mean (average) can be heavily influenced by outliers, providing an inaccurate representation of the central tendency. In such cases, the median is a more robust measure because it is less affected by extreme values.
Ordinal data: The median is particularly useful when dealing with ordinal data, where values have a meaningful order but the actual differences between the values may not be well-defined. For example, in a survey where respondents rank their satisfaction levels as "low," "medium," and "high," the median can give a better idea of the typical satisfaction level.
Categorical data: If you have categorical data, the median can be applied to the ranks of the categories. For instance, if you ask people to rate a product on a scale from 1 to 5, the median can show the central response, which gives insight into the general opinion.
Small sample size: In situations where you have a small sample size, the median might be more practical than the mean, as it can be less sensitive to fluctuations caused by a limited number of data points.
When the distribution is unknown: Sometimes, you might not have a clear idea about the distribution of the data. In such cases, the median can be used as a more conservative estimate of the central tendency compared to the mean, which requires assumptions about the data distribution.
Symmetric distributions: In symmetric distributions, where the data is evenly distributed around the center, the mean and the median will be close to each other. However, the median can still be preferred if you want to focus on the middle value and avoid the influence of outliers.
Overall, the choice between using the mean or median (or other statistical measures) depends on the nature of your data, the research question you are addressing, and your specific analysis goals. Both the mean and median have their strengths and weaknesses, and it's essential to understand which measure is most appropriate for your particular situation.
Qualee Heatmap Median Score
Qualee provides administrators an option to view the Median Score of the available Engagement Driver score for a selected segment
To view the Median Score:
Login to the Qualee Console
Navigate to Reports > Heatmap
At the upper right part of the Heatmap table, click on Show / hide and tick the box for Selection Median.