The mean score was
Research methodology and reporting expression
Use this phrase to professionally report the average result of a test, survey, or data set.
في 15 ثانية
- Reports the mathematical average of a group of numbers.
- Commonly used in academic papers and professional business reports.
- Sounds more precise and scientific than the word 'average'.
المعنى
This phrase is used to report the mathematical average of a set of numbers or results. It helps you summarize a large group of data into one single, representative value.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 7Presenting a research paper
The mean score was 82% across the experimental group.
The average result for the group we tested was 82%.
Discussing office productivity
The mean score was slightly lower during the holiday season.
On average, the performance numbers dropped during the holidays.
Texting a classmate about a test
The mean score was a 60, so I'm happy with my 75!
The average was 60, so my 75 is actually pretty good.
خلفية ثقافية
In English-speaking academic and professional circles, using 'mean' instead of 'average' signals a higher level of mathematical literacy. It is the standard way to report data in peer-reviewed journals and formal business analytics. This precision reflects a cultural value placed on objective, data-driven evidence.
Mean vs. Median
In research, the 'mean' is the average, but the 'median' is the middle number. Use 'mean' when your data is evenly spread out!
Don't be a robot
If you're at a bar, don't say 'The mean score of this burger is 8.' Just say 'This burger is an 8/10.' Keep 'mean' for work and school.
في 15 ثانية
- Reports the mathematical average of a group of numbers.
- Commonly used in academic papers and professional business reports.
- Sounds more precise and scientific than the word 'average'.
What It Means
Think of it as the "middle ground" of a group of numbers. You take every single result and mash them together. Then you divide that total by how many results you had. It gives you one single number that represents everyone. It’s like saying, "If everyone were the same, this is what they’d look like." It’s a way to simplify a big mess of data. You aren't looking at one person. You are looking at the whole crowd.
How To Use It
You usually put this phrase at the start of a sentence. Follow it with a specific number. For example, you might say, The mean score was 75. You can also add more detail to be specific. Try saying, The mean score was higher than expected. It works best when you are reporting facts. Use it in your writing to sound like an expert. It shows you have done the math. It gives your audience a clear anchor point.
When To Use It
This is a superstar phrase for academic writing. If you are writing a thesis, use it often. It also shines in business meetings. Use it when presenting quarterly results to your boss. It works well in news reports about education or health. If you are discussing a survey you conducted, this is perfect. It tells people you are looking at the big picture. It’s the language of logic and evidence.
When NOT To Use It
Keep this phrase away from your personal life. Don't use it to describe your date last night. Saying The mean score of our dinner was 6 is a bit weird. It makes you sound like a robot. Also, avoid it if you only have one or two numbers. You need a group for a "mean" to matter. Don't use it if you are talking about emotions. You can't really calculate the "mean score" of a feeling. Use average instead if you're in a casual setting.
Cultural Background
Western culture is obsessed with measuring things. We love to rank schools, movies, and even cities. The "mean" is the king of these measurements. In English-speaking universities, students learn this early on. It’s part of the "Standard English" of science. Interestingly, the word mean comes from an old word for "middle." It’s not about being "mean" or "unkind" at all! It’s just about finding the center.
Common Variations
You will often hear people say the average was. That is the most common way to say it. In more technical papers, you might see the mean value. If you want to be very fancy, try the arithmetic mean. Sometimes people just say on average. In news reports, they might say the typical score. All of these point to that same middle number. Choose the one that fits your audience best.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This phrase is strictly formal/academic. Using it in casual conversation might make you sound overly technical or 'nerdy.' Always ensure you are actually referring to an arithmetic average when using it in a professional report.
Mean vs. Median
In research, the 'mean' is the average, but the 'median' is the middle number. Use 'mean' when your data is evenly spread out!
Don't be a robot
If you're at a bar, don't say 'The mean score of this burger is 8.' Just say 'This burger is an 8/10.' Keep 'mean' for work and school.
The 'Mean' Pun
English speakers sometimes joke that a difficult test has a 'mean' score—meaning both the average and that the test was 'cruel' or 'unkind'!
أمثلة
7The mean score was 82% across the experimental group.
The average result for the group we tested was 82%.
This is the classic academic use of the phrase.
The mean score was slightly lower during the holiday season.
On average, the performance numbers dropped during the holidays.
Used here to summarize business data trends.
The mean score was a 60, so I'm happy with my 75!
The average was 60, so my 75 is actually pretty good.
Using formal terms in a text to provide context for a personal achievement.
The mean score was higher this year than in previous terms.
The average grade for the class improved this year.
Communicating class-wide progress to a group.
The mean score was 2/10, which is still too generous.
The average rating was 2/10, and that's still too high.
Using formal language for comedic effect regarding a low rating.
The mean score was indicative of high resident satisfaction.
The average result showed that people living here are happy.
Summarizing qualitative data that has been turned into numbers.
The mean score was disappointing, but it gave us a baseline.
The average result wasn't good, but at least we have a starting point.
Using data to discuss a difficult or emotional outcome professionally.
اختبر نفسك
Complete the sentence to report the average of a recent survey.
After analyzing the feedback, we found that the ___ ___ ___ 4.5 out of 5.
The standard structure is 'The mean score was [number]'.
Choose the most professional option for a lab report.
In the final trial, the ___ ___ ___ significantly higher.
'Mean score' is the preferred academic term for reporting averages in research.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of Reporting Averages
Talking to friends about a movie rating.
The average was...
A news report or a general blog post.
On average, people scored...
A scientific paper or business report.
The mean score was...
Where to use 'The mean score was'
University Thesis
Reporting survey results in Chapter 4.
Corporate Meeting
Explaining customer satisfaction ratings.
Medical Journal
Describing the recovery rate of patients.
School Report
A teacher summarizing exam performance.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes, in most cases they are identical. However, mean score sounds more professional and is preferred in scientific contexts.
Absolutely. You can use it for any data that can be measured, like the mean score was 50mg in a chemistry experiment.
Use was if you are reporting on a study or test that is finished. Use is if you are describing a permanent mathematical fact.
Yes, it is standard in all dialects of English for academic and professional reporting.
If one number is crazy high or low, the mean score might be misleading. In that case, researchers often report the median instead.
No, in this context mean refers to math. If you call a person mean, it means they are unkind or rude.
You can add adverbs, like The overall mean score was... or The adjusted mean score was....
Yes! It sounds very impressive if you say, In my last project, the mean score for customer satisfaction rose by 20%.
Usually, yes. It is followed by a digit, a percentage, or a comparative word like higher or lower.
There isn't a direct opposite, but you might contrast it with an individual score or the range of scores.
عبارات ذات صلة
On average
A more casual way to report the central value.
The median value
The exact middle point in a list of numbers.
Standard deviation
How much the scores vary from the mean.
The results indicate
A formal way to introduce what your data shows.
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