The standard deviation shows how scores are dispersed around theQuestion 18Answera.rangeb.modec.mediand.mean

Analyzing the Options

1. Understanding Standard Deviation: Standard deviation is a statistical measure that indicates the extent to which individual data points differ from the mean (average) of the dataset. A low standard deviation means that the values tend to be close to the mean, while a high standard deviation indicates that the values are spread out over a wider range.

2. Examining Each Option:

   • a. Range: This measures the difference between the highest and lowest values in a dataset. It does not reflect how scores are dispersed around the mean.
   • b. Mode: This is the value that appears most frequently in a dataset. It does not provide information about the dispersion of scores around the mean.
   • c. Median: This is the middle value when data is ordered from smallest to largest. While it divides the dataset into two equal halves, it does not convey how scores disperse around the mean.
   • d. Mean: Also known as the average, the mean is the sum of all values divided by the number of values. Standard deviation measures the dispersion of scores around the mean.

Conclusion

The correct answer is d. mean. Standard deviation shows how scores are dispersed around the mean, making it the relevant measure for this context.