Which statistical term indicates the average expected outcome of a sample?

The average expected outcome of a sample is referred to as the mean. The mean is calculated by adding up all the values in a sample and then dividing by the number of values. It represents a measure of central tendency, providing a single value that summarizes the typical or average outcome in a dataset.

In statistical analysis, the mean is significant because it allows researchers and analysts to understand the overall trend or central point around which the other data points cluster. It can be useful for interpreting data and making predictions based on established patterns.

In contrast, standard deviation measures the amount of variation or dispersion from the mean, helping to understand how spread out the data points are. The median, on the other hand, is the middle value when the data set is ordered and is useful in understanding the distribution but does not necessarily represent the average outcome. Lastly, the standard error indicates the precision of the sample mean as an estimate of the population mean, but it does not itself describe the average expected outcome. Thus, the correct identification of the mean as the average outcome is fundamental in statistical analysis and interpretation.