Units of Analysis, Maps, and Scale

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Units of Analysis, Maps, and Scale

• Dr. Roy Cole
• SS300 Research Methods

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The unit of analysis

• The unit on which data are collected.
• The what or whom that is being studied.
• The unit on which a conclusion is to be made.
• The UOA may be disaggregated or aggregated.
• The unit of analysis may be different from the
  unit of observation.

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The unit of analysis

• Individuals.
• Groups.
• Artifacts (books, photos, newspapers)
• Geographical units (town, census tract, state).
• Social interactions (dyadic relations, divorces,
  arrests).

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Types of scale

• Large-scale maps.
• Representation closer to the ground.
• Houses, fields, etc. can be depicted.
• 1250,000 and below is large scale.
• Four miles to the inch.
• City maps, real estate (cadastral) maps,
  construction maps.

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Types of scale

• Medium scale maps.
• Road maps, airway maps.
• 1250,000 to 11,000,000.
• 4 to 16 miles per inch.

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Types of scale

• Small scale maps.
• Above 11,000,000.
• Used in atlases, books, and magazines.