Unit of observation

In statistics, a unit of observation is the unit described by the data that one analyzes. For example, in a
study of the demand for money, the unit of observation might be chosen as the individual, with different
observations (data points) for a given point in time differing as to which individual they refer to; or the unit
of observation might be the country, with different observations differing only in regard to the country they
refer to. 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 level of analysis
might be at the neighborhood level, drawing conclusions on neighborhood characteristics from data
collected from individuals. Together, the unit of observation and the level of analysis define the population
of a research enterprise.[1]

Contents
Data point
Types of data
See also
References

Data point
A data point or observation is a set of one or more measurements on a single member of unit of
observation. For example, in a study of the determinants of money demand with the unit of observation
being the individual, a data point might be the values of income, wealth, age of individual, and number of
dependents. Statistical inference about the population would be conducted using a statistical sample
consisting of various such data points.

In addition, in statistical graphics, a "data point" may be an individual item with a statistical display; such
points may relate to either a single member of a population or to a summary statistic calculated for a given
subpopulation.

Types of data
The measurements contained a unit of observation are formally typed, where here type is used in a way
compatible with datatype in computing; so that the type of measurement can specify whether the
measurement results in a Boolean value from {yes, no}, an integer or real number, the identity of some
category, or some vector or array.

The implication of point is often that the data may be plotted in a graphic display, but in many cases the data
are processed numerically before that is done. In the context of statistical graphics, measured values for
individuals or summary statistics for different subpopulations are displayed as separate symbols within a
display; since such symbols can differ by shape, size and colour, a single data point within a display can
convey multiple aspects of the set of measurements for an individual or subpopulation.
See also
Data
Data collection system
Observation error

References
1. Blalock, Hubert M., Jr. (1972). Social Statistics
(https://archive.org/details/socialstatistic000blal). New York: McGraw–Hill. ISBN 0-07-005751-
6.

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