Unit of Observation: The Data Concept Your Students Are Probably Missing

How to spot it in any dataset — instantly.


Most students can read a data table. Far fewer know how to ask the right questions of one. The unit of observation — what each row represents — determines every question you can legitimately ask of your data. Get it wrong and your entire analysis goes sideways. Here's how to identify it quickly in any dataset.


 Interested in a bit more?

This webinar continues the conversation on exploring this dataset.

This blogpost discusses how to tidy up your data to create good science questions.

Check out Statistics Snippets and more on the DC blog.

Subscribe to the Statistics Snippets playlist on Youtube. 


Christy ScottComment