GLOSSARY

The standard unit of data analysis defined in the design of a service research study. Many different units of analysis may be identified in service research whilst population studies use a single unit of analysis (patients, persons). In order to make like-with-like comparisons, these comparisons must be made across a single ‘unit of analysis’ group. In the evaluation of services there are different units of analysis such as territories (Countries, Regions, Districts, Small Health Areas); macro-organisations (i.e. a Large Health Maintenance Organisation), Meso-organisations (i.e. a Hospital), Micro-organisations (i.e. a service or “Basic Care Input System”) or smaller units within a service: Main Types of Care, Care Modalities, Care or Clinical Units, Care packages, Activities, Micro-Activities or Philosophy of care.

The main target groups for whom a service is intended and/or delivered.