184k views
4 votes
Measurements are frequently made and then averaged across several participants. to what degree of precision should the average be reported in a research paper?

O to the nearest whole number
O to the precision with which it was measured
O to the tenths decimal place
O to the thousandths decimal place

User Dobler
by
8.2k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The correct answer is option 2. The average in a research paper should be reported to the same degree of precision as the measurements were taken.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a research paper, the average should be reported to the same degree of precision as the measurements were taken. This means that it should be reported to the same number of decimal places as the original data. For example, if the measurements were taken to the nearest tenth of a unit, then the average should be reported to the nearest tenth decimal place.

For instance, if the measurements obtained were 1.5, 2.2, 3.4, and 2.8, you would need to calculate the average, which is (1.5 + 2.2 + 3.4 + 2.8) / 4 = 2.475. Since the measurements were taken to the nearest tenth decimal place, the average should be reported as 2.5.

User Asif Saeed
by
7.7k points