Unit of observation

How it is used

Name what is measured, even when conclusions concern a larger group.

Example sentences

1. Each pupil was a unit of observation, but we compared schools in the final analysis.

   Measurements and conclusions operate at different levels.

2. The unit of observation in the traffic study was a single journey.

   One person could contribute several observed journeys.

Common collocations

• specify the unit of observation
• individual unit of observation

Related terms

• data collectionThe process of gathering information for a study, for example through questionnaires, interviews, observations, tests or existing records.
• sampleThe smaller group of people, items or texts selected from a larger population for a study, so that conclusions can be drawn about that population.

More terms: Research Design

• research
• research question
• hypothesis
• methodology
• qualitative
• quantitative
• participant
• questionnaire
• case study
• carry out
• validity
• reliability