ADAMA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF APPLIED NATURAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY
GROUP ASSIGNMENT
QUALITY CONTROL (CHEM4258)

NO. NAME ID NUMBER

1. Asaminew Meskelu Ugr/27115/14
2. Asmara Bayisa Ugr/27052/14
3. Bacha Dereje Ugr/27054/14
4. Bikila Solomon Ugr/27076/14
5. Bilal Nuri Ugr/26907/14
6. Biniyam Kebeda Ugr/26999/14
7. Debela Goshu Ugr/27059/14
8. Desalegn Dida Ugr/27038/14
9. Elion Girma Ugr/26980/14
10. Eman Awel Ugr/26970/14

Submitted to:-Dr. Hiskel

Submission Date:- Dec 26/2024

ADAMA,ETHIOPIA
QUALITY CONTROL

Table of Contents

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………
Understanding Central Tendency……………………………………………………..
Measures of Central Tendency……………………………………………………….
Advantages and Disadvantages of central tendency…………………………………
Application of Central Tendency …………………………………………………….
Limitations of Central Tendency Measures…………………………………………..
Variability and Central Tendency…………………………………………………..
Case Studies……………………………………………………………….………..
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….
References………………………………………………………………………….

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Introduction
Central tendency is a fundamental statistical concept that identifies a single value that
best represents a dataset, providing insight into the overall distribution of data points.
The most common measures of central tendency include the mean, median, and mode.
The mean, or arithmetic average, offers a balanced measure, while the median
indicates the middle value in a sorted list, and the mode highlights the most frequently
occurring value. These measures are critical in various fields, including quality
control, where understanding the central point of data distributions is essential for
effective monitoring and decision-making.
In the context of quality control, the importance of central tendency cannot be
overstated. It serves as a benchmark for assessing the performance of processes and
products. By evaluating the average performance through central tendency measures,
quality control professionals can determine whether processes are operating within
acceptable limits. Additionally, analyzing central tendency helps identify variability
and potential issues in production, enabling organizations to set quality standards and
targets effectively. This data-driven approach fosters informed decision-making and
trend analysis, allowing companies to proactively address quality concerns before
they escalate. Ultimately, central tendency provides the foundation for continuous
improvement in quality management practices.
Understanding Central Tendency

Central tendency refers to the statistical measures that indicate the center point or
typical value of a dataset. The three primary measures of central tendency are the
mean, median, and mode. The mean is calculated by summing all values in a dataset
and dividing by the number of values, providing an overall average. The median
represents the middle value when the data points are arranged in ascending or
descending order, effectively splitting the dataset into two equal halves. The mode is
the value that occurs most frequently within the dataset. Together, these measures
provide a comprehensive view of the data's central location, which is essential for
various analytical purposes, including quality control.

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Importance in Quality Control

Central tendency plays a vital role in quality control by offering insights into process
performance and product quality. By measuring the central tendency, quality control
professionals can evaluate whether a process is consistent and functioning within
established limits. This evaluation is crucial for detecting shifts in performance that
may indicate underlying issues. Additionally, central tendency aids in the
establishment of quality standards and benchmarks, allowing organizations to set
realistic targets based on average performance. Monitoring these measures over time
also facilitates trend analysis, enabling teams to identify patterns or changes that may
require corrective actions. Ultimately, understanding central tendency equips
organizations with the necessary tools to ensure quality, drive improvements, and
maintain competitive advantage.
Measures of Central Tendency
1.Mean
The arithmetic average of a dataset, calculated by summing all values and dividing by
the number of observations.
The mean, often referred to as the average, is calculated by summing all the values in
a dataset and dividing by the total number of values. It provides a single value that
represents the overall level of the dataset.
The mean is calculated by summing all the values in a dataset and then dividing by
the total number of values.
Formula:Mean (μ): μ = ΣX / N
(where ΣX is sum of all the values,
N is the total number of values in a population)
Formula for Sample Mean (x̄ ): x̄ = Σx / n (where Σx is sum of all the values in a
sample and n is the number of values in the sample)
Example
Consider a quality control scenario where the weights of ten manufactured items are
measured as follows: 10, 12, 11, 13, 15, 14, 10, 12, 13, 14. To calculate the mean
weight:
1. Sum the weights: \( 10 + 12 + 11 + 13 + 15 + 14 + 10 + 12 + 13 + 14 = 134 \)
2. Divide by the number of items: \( \frac{134}{10} = 13.4 \)
Thus, the mean weight of the items is 13.4.

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Application
Finance:-Calculating average revenue, costs, or profits over a specific time.
Education:Determining average test scores for students to assess overal
lperformance.
Healthcare:- Estimating the average recovery time for patients.
Marketing:-Understanding the average spending behavior of customers.
2.Median
The median is the value that separates a dataset into two equal halves. To find the
median, the data must be arranged in ascending or descending order. If the number of
observations is odd, the median is the middle value. If the number of observations is
even, the median is the average of the two middle values.
Example
Using the same weights from the previous example, we arrange them in ascending
order: 10, 10, 11, 12, 12, 13, 13, 14, 14, 15. Since there are ten values (an even
number), we take the average of the fifth and sixth values:
[{Median} = frac{12 + 13}/{2} = 12.5]

Thus, the median weight is 12.5

Applications
Real Estate:-Determining the median home price to reflect the market trend.
Income Analysis:- Analyzing median income to understand typical earnings within a
population.
Healthcare:- Identifying the median wait time in hospitals.
Customer Service:- Measuring the median response time to inquiries.
3.Mode
The mode is the value that appears most frequently in a dataset. A dataset may have
one mode (unimodal), more than one mode (bimodal or multimodal), or no mode at
all if all values occur with the same frequency.
Example
Referring again to the weights: 10, 12, 11, 13, 15, 14, 10, 12, 13, 14. The frequency of
each weight is:- 10: 2 times,11: 1 time,12: 2 times,13: 2 times,14: 2 times,15: 1 time
In this case, the values 10, 12, 13, and 14 all occur twice, making the dataset
multimodal. Therefore, the modes are 10, 12, 13, and 14.

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Applications
Retail: Identifying the most popular product or size purchased by customers.
Education: Determining the most common grade achieved by students.
Manufacturing: Understanding the most frequent defect in a production process.
Marketing: Discovering the most preferred product feature or service.
These measures of central tendency—mean, median, and mode—are essential tools in
quality control, providing critical insights into process performance and product
consistency.
Advantages and Disadvantages of central tendency
Central tendency is a statistical measure that identifies a single value as representative
of an entire dataset.
Advantages
 Simplified Analysis
 Benchmarking
 Decision-Making
 Quality Improvement
 Communication
Disadvantages
 Oversimplification
 Sensitivity to Outliers
 Lack of Detail
 Misinterpretation
 Inflexibility
Applications of Central Tendency
Control Charts:-Central tendency measures (mean, median) are plotted on control
charts to track process performance over time, helping to identify trends, shifts, or
abnormalities.
Process Capability Analysis:-By calculating the mean and standard deviation,
organizations assess how well a process meets specified limits, determining capability
indices.

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Setting Quality Standards:-Central tendency helps establish baseline quality

standards. The mean can serve as a target value for production processes.
Defect Rate Monitoring:-Analyzing the average defect rate allows quality managers
to assess overall product quality and implement corrective actions when necessary.

Benchmarking:-Organizations use central tendency measures to compare their

processes against industry standards or competitors, identifying areas for
improvement.
Trend Analysis:-Monitoring changes in central tendency over time helps detect
improvements or declines in quality, guiding decision-making for process
adjustments.
Performance Evaluation:-Central tendency measures are used to evaluate employee
performance, product quality, and service delivery against established norms.
Sampling Plans:-In sampling, central tendency helps in determining sample size and
assessing whether a sample is representative of the population.
Limitations of Central Tendency Measures
 Sensitivity to Outliers
 Lack of Variability Insight
 Oversimplification
 Distribution Assumptions
 Non-representative Samples
 Misinterpretation Risks
 Inflexibility
 Limited Context
 Dependence on Data Quality
 Static Nature
Variability Of Central Tendency
1.Importance of Variability

Variability refers to the degree of spread or dispersion within a dataset. Understanding

variability is crucial in quality control because it complements measures of central
tendency by providing insight into the consistency and reliability of processes and
products. High variability can indicate that a process is inconsistent, leading to
unpredictable quality outcomes. Conversely, low variability suggests that a process is
stable and produces results that are close to the average. By assessing variability
alongside central tendency, quality control professionals can identify areas for
improvement, detect trends, and ensure that processes remain within acceptable
limits. This holistic view is essential for maintaining high-quality standards and
minimizing defects.

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2.Combining Central Tendency and Variability

Combining measures of central tendency with variability metrics creates a more
comprehensive understanding of quality performance. While central tendency
provides a snapshot of average performance, variability reveals how much the data
points differ from that average. For example, using the mean in conjunction with
measures such as standard deviation or range allows organizations to assess not only
the average quality but also the consistency of that quality over time. This
combination enables quality control professionals to make informed decisions about
process improvements, identify potential risks, and establish realistic specification
limits. By integrating both central tendency and variability, organizations can better
understand their quality performance and implement strategies that enhance overall
product reliability and effectiveness.
Variability in quality control refers to the degree of variation in a dataset, which is
crucial for understanding the consistency and reliability of a process or product.
Variability relates to central tendency in quality control:-
 Understanding Data Spread
 Impact on Decision-Making
 Complementary Analysis
 Control Charts
 Process Capability
 Identifying Trends
 Interpreting Outliers
 Risk Assessment
 Feedback Loop
 Quality Improvement Initiatives
Variability is a crucial aspect of understanding central tendency in quality control. By
analyzing both together, organizations can gain deeper insights into process stability,
product quality, and areas for improvement.

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Case Studies
1.Manufacturing Industry
In the manufacturing industry, a common case study involves a company that
produces automotive parts. The quality control team regularly measures the
dimensions of a critical component, such as a gear shaft. After collecting data over
several production runs, the team calculates the mean, median, and mode of the shaft
dimensions.
Findings
 The mean dimension is found to be slightly above the specification limit due to a
few outliers from defective batches.
 The median, however, remains within the acceptable range, indicating that the
majority of parts meet quality standards.
By identifying the discrepancy between the mean and median, the quality control
team recognizes that while most parts are acceptable, specific batches are causing
quality issues.
2.Service Industry

In the service industry, consider a case study of a hotel chain that tracks customer
satisfaction scores. Each guest is asked to rate their stay on a scale from 1 to 10. After
collecting data from thousands of guests over a year, the management calculates the
average (mean), the middle score (median), and the most common score (mode).

Findings
 The mean satisfaction score is relatively high, indicating generally positive
feedback.
 The median score reveals a significant number of guests rated their experience
poorly, suggesting that a portion of the clientele is dissatisfied.
 The mode indicates a common score of 8, which reflects the most frequent
feedback but masks the lower ratings.
By analyzing central tendency measures in combination with variability metrics,
management identifies that while the average score is acceptable, there is a
concerning level of dissatisfaction among certain guests.

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Conclusion

Central tendency measure mean, median, and mode are essential tools in quality
control, providing valuable insights into the performance and consistency of processes
and products. These measures help organizations assess average performance, identify
variability, and establish quality standards. However, it is crucial to recognize the
limitations of central tendency, particularly its sensitivity to outliers and the potential
for misleading representations when used in isolation.
By combining central tendency with variability metrics, quality control professionals
can gain a more comprehensive understanding of data, leading to informed decision-
making and continuous improvement in quality management practices.

The application of central tendency in both manufacturing and service industries

demonstrates its versatility and importance. In manufacturing, it aids in identifying
defects and ensuring product quality, while in the service sector, it helps enhance
customer satisfaction by revealing underlying issues in service delivery. Overall, a
thorough understanding of central tendency and its implications in quality control is
vital for organizations striving for excellence in their operations.

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Reference

1. Total Quality Control by Armand Vallin Feigenbaum

2. Statistical Quality Control: A Modern Introduction by Douglas C. Montgomery
3. Quality Control and Industrial Statistics by Acheson J. Duncan