Unit of observation

In statistics, a unit of observation is a unit quoted by a data that one analyzes. A inspect may treat groups as a constituent of observation with a country as the unit of analysis, drawing conclusions on multinational characteristics from data collected at the national level. 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.

Data point

A data point or observation is a vintage of one or more measurements on a single member of the 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, & number of dependents. Statistical inference about the population would be conducted using a statistical sample consisting of various such(a) data points.

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