Unit of observation: Difference between revisions
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The '''Unit of observation''' is the unit upon which one collects or analyzes [[data]]. For example, research on neighborhoods might make use of [[secondary data]] from the U.S. [[Census]] or [[primary data]] gathered from individuals using [[survey methodology]]. A study may have a differing unit of observation and [[unit of analysis]], For example, in [[community]] research, the [[research design]] may collect data at the individual level of observation but the [[unit of analysis]] is at the neighborhood level, drawing conclusions on neighborhood characteristics from data collected from individuals. Together, the unit of observation and the [[unit of analysis]] define the [[Sample_population|population]] of a research enterprise.<ref>Blalock, Hubert M., Jr. (1972). ''Social Statistics''. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc.</ref> |
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The '''Unit of observation''' is the unit on which one collects data (data on neighborhoods of people using the U.S. Census, on individuals using surveys, etc.). For example, a study may have a unit of observation at the individual level but may have the unit of analysis at the neighborhood level, drawing conclusions on neighborhood characteristics from data collected from individuals. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Unit of analysis]] |
* [[Unit of analysis]] |
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*[[Statistical unit]] |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Unit Of Observation}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Unit Of Observation}} |
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[[Category:Statistical data types]] |
[[Category:Statistical data types]] |
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[[Category:Statistical terminology]] |
[[Category:Statistical terminology]] |
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[[Category:Social sciences]] |
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[[Category:Sociology]] |
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{{statistics-stub}} |
{{statistics-stub}} |
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Revision as of 20:04, 5 January 2012
The Unit of observation is the unit upon which one collects or analyzes data. For example, research on neighborhoods might make use of secondary data from the U.S. Census or primary data gathered from individuals using survey methodology. A study may have a differing unit of observation and unit of analysis, For example, in community research, the research design may collect data at the individual level of observation but the unit of analysis is at the neighborhood level, drawing conclusions on neighborhood characteristics from data collected from individuals. Together, the unit of observation and the unit of analysis define the population of a research enterprise.[1]
See also
References
- ^ Blalock, Hubert M., Jr. (1972). Social Statistics. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc.
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