What statistical measure is most useful for understanding variability in a dataset?

The range is a statistical measure that effectively captures the variability in a dataset by indicating the difference between the highest and lowest values. This simple calculation shows the full spread of the data, giving you a quick sense of how dispersed the values are. A larger range suggests greater variability, while a smaller range indicates that the values are closer together.

In contrast, the mean is a measure of central tendency that summarizes the average of the data but does not provide information about its spread. The mode represents the most frequently occurring value in the dataset, which might not reflect variability if there is a dominant value. Sample size refers to how many observations or data points have been collected and affects the accuracy and reliability of statistics but does not measure variability itself. Therefore, when it comes to understanding the dispersion or variability in a dataset, the range is the most direct and useful measure.