In a study involving people, what is the unit of analysis?

The unit of analysis in a study involving people is the individual person. This means that each participant serves as the primary unit for measurement and analysis in the research. By focusing on individuals, researchers can draw conclusions about behaviors, attitudes, or outcomes that pertain specifically to each person.

When analyzing data, researchers gather information about each individual's responses or characteristics, allowing for a detailed understanding of the patterns and variations within the population being studied. The insights gained at the individual level can then be generalized to the larger group if the sample is representative.

Other elements, like groups or the overall sample, play important roles in research design but do not serve as the unit of analysis in this context. The experiment itself is a structure for conducting research rather than a unit being directly analyzed. Therefore, identifying the individual person as the unit of analysis is crucial for interpreting the data accurately and effectively.