ABSTRACT
The importance of data in environmental research has to do with two key objectives of the quantitative approach: quantifying relationships and testing hypotheses. In quantitative research, the unit of analysis is defined as the object, individual, or entity that is the focus of our study about which we collect information and draw conclusions. Per capita gross domestic product (PCGDP), or GDP per person, is a common measure of economic development. Systematic measurement error does result in measures of variables that are systematically either too high or too low. Measurement error may occur if questions are poorly or confusingly worded, or if they are worded in such a way as to influence the responses. Under systematic random sampling, the researcher numerically orders a target population and then samples from this population at some regular numeric interval.
