A note on the units of analysis for questionnaire survey for housing studies research (information from poe.com)
My question 1: "I am a part-time Housing Studies student currently formulating a research project proposal. My main research method is a questionnaire survey to learn my friends' view on how the Hong Kong economic trends and housing policy affect the citizens' home purchase confidence. My question is: should the survey is on the resident at the (1) individual respondent level, (2) the respondent's family level or (3) the household level of the resident? How to define these units of analysis (individual, family and household) in this case. And, what are the advantages and disadvantages on each of these units of analysis?"
The reply: "When formulating your research project proposal, choosing the right unit of analysis is critical for your questionnaire survey. Here’s a breakdown of the three options you mentioned—individual, family, and household levels—along with their definitions, advantages, and disadvantages.
1. Individual Level
Advantages:
- Personal Insights: Captures individual perceptions and experiences, allowing for nuanced data.
- Statistical Analysis: Enables detailed statistical analyses, such as correlations between individual traits (e.g., age, income) and housing confidence.
- Diversity: Can reveal variations in opinions across different demographics.
Disadvantages:
- Contextual Limitations: Individual responses may lack context from family or household dynamics, potentially skewing understanding.
- Potential Bias: Individual views may not represent family or household opinions, especially in communal decision-making scenarios.
2. Family Level
Advantages:
- Team Dynamics: Acknowledges that family members often make housing decisions collectively, capturing shared experiences.
- Cultural Context: In cultures like Hong Kong, family influence on financial decisions can be significant.
Disadvantages:
- Complexity: Families can have diverse opinions, making it challenging to represent a unified stance.
- Data Collection Difficulty: May require more complex survey designs to aggregate responses meaningfully.
3. Household Level
Advantages:
- Broad Perspective: Captures collective household experiences and factors influencing housing confidence.
- Resource Sharing: Reflects the sharing of financial responsibilities and housing decisions within the household.
Disadvantages:
- Aggregation Issues: Similar to the family level, household responses may mask individual perspectives, leading to generalized insights.
- Variable Definitions: Households can vary widely in structure, making comparisons more complex.
Recommendation
The choice of unit of analysis should align with your research objectives:
- Individual Level: If you're interested in personal experiences and demographics.
- Family Level: If cultural influences and family dynamics are crucial to understanding home purchase confidence.
- Household Level: If the shared resources and collective perspectives are your main focus.
Consider conducting preliminary research to gauge which unit might provide the most relevant and rich data for your project."
My question 2: "Regarding this research project of mine, could you suggest 3 illustrative survey questionnaire questions for each of these three units of analysis (individual, family and household) respectively? This will clarify to me further how the choice of the unit of analysis would affect the detailed questionnaire survey design. Tks in advance."
The reply: "Here are illustrative survey questionnaire questions for each of the three units of analysis—individual, family, and household. These examples highlight how the choice of unit affects the design and focus of the questions.
Individual Level Questions
-
Personal Confidence:
- On a scale from 1 to 10, how confident are you in your ability to purchase a home within the next five years?
-
Economic Factors:
- What economic factors (e.g., job security, inflation, property prices) most influence your own confidence in buying a home? (Select all that apply)
-
Housing Policy Awareness:
- How familiar are you with current housing policies in Hong Kong? (Very familiar, Somewhat familiar, Not familiar at all)
Family Level Questions
-
Family Discussions:
- How often does your family discuss housing market trends and policies when considering home purchases? (Always, Often, Sometimes, Rarely, Never)
-
Shared Perspectives:
- To what extent do you and your family members agree on the factors affecting your confidence in purchasing a home? (Strongly agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree, Strongly disagree)
-
Family Influence:
- How much do your family members influence your decision regarding home purchase confidence? (A lot, Some, A little, Not at all)
Household Level Questions
-
Household Financial Situation:
- How would you describe your household's current financial situation in relation to purchasing a home? (Very secure, Somewhat secure, Neutral, Somewhat insecure, Very insecure)
-
Collective Decision-Making:
- To what extent does your household make decisions together regarding financial investments like home purchases? (Always, Often, Sometimes, Rarely, Never)
-
Impact of Economic Trends:
- How do the overall economic trends in Hong Kong impact your household's confidence in purchasing a home? (Very positively, Positively, Neutral, Negatively, Very negatively)
Summary
- Individual questions focus on personal perceptions and experiences.
- Family questions emphasize shared perspectives and family dynamics.
- Household questions explore collective financial situations and decision-making processes.
Each set reflects the unique insights gained from the chosen unit of analysis, helping you tailor your questionnaire effectively to meet your research objectives."
A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.
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