Afrobarometer is an African-based research system that examines public surveys of different issues relating to and across many African nations (Afrobarometer, n.d.). Some of these issues may range from economic, governance, environmental, health and social change demography. According to the analyses from Afrobarometer dataset, we can clearly see descriptions of what each measured variables. The descriptions range from how the variables are being measure or the outcomes of the variables. There are 63 variables with different frequency and cumulative percentages. Each variables can be measured by looking at the label of the variable. The first variable (country alpha) label measures country in alphabetical order. Each variable has its own set of measurement and functionality in the dataset. By having different measure of the variables, we can understand the computation of each variable. The types of data describe the important of unit analysis. The system gives data options in calculating other related variables.
Each variable in the dataset calculates levels of classifications that include ratio, interval, nominal and ordinal. Each value of measurement has its own functions. For example, the first variable of country in alphabetical order has nominal classification of measure.
The different unit of analysis can be seen when reading the Afrobarometer dataset. For example, Q3A is a country’s present economic condition, which represent individual unit of analysis for each country. Each county has its own economic condition. The group unit of analysis for example, examine country by region. Part of the important role of using Afrobarometer dataset is the review of national and ethnic identities of regions. The ethnic and other demographic characteristics can answer social change questions. Researchers can see how different country is changing socially, demographically, and politically. This can lead to further understanding of social change issues within specific region. For instance, many research studies and surveys are used in conjunction with afrobarometer dataset to analyze whether speaking other non-home languages in Africa’s sub-sahara regions validate identified trust (Buzasi, 2015).
Reference
Afrobarometer. (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from http://www.afrobarometer.org/about/faqs
Buzasi, K. (2015). Languages, communication potential and generalized trust in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence based on the Afrobarometer Survey. Social Science Research, 49141-155. doi:10.1016/j.ssresearch.2014.08.005
