What does the term 'central tendency' refer to?

The term 'central tendency' refers to statistical measures that identify the center or typical value of a dataset, and the correct choice aligns with this definition. It encompasses various measures like mean, median, and mode that summarize a dataset with a single representative value, offering insight into the general behavior of the data.

When discussing values that represent the average of a dataset, it typically highlights the mean—calculated by summing all values and dividing by the count. This provides a clear indication of the dataset's general location on the number line, allowing for easy comparisons between different datasets or groups.

The other options, while related to various properties of a dataset, do not capture the essence of central tendency. The range refers to the difference between the highest and lowest values, which gives an overview of data spread but not its center. The dispersion of data around the mean touches upon variance and standard deviation, discussing how data points differ from the central value rather than identifying the central value itself. Lastly, stating the median—though one form of central tendency—does not encompass all aspects of the concept as thoroughly as the average does.