USE OF INDIVIDUAL-LEVEL DATA TO INVESTIGATE GROUP PHENOMENA - ISSUES AND STRATEGIES

Researchers who investigate group phenomena can choose either the grou p as a whole or individuals within groups as a basis for formulating r esearch questions, developing data-gathering strategies, and conductin g statistical analyses. This article considers the virtues and limitat ions of using individual-level data to investigate group phenomena and describes three categories of research questions about individuals in groups: (a) the contribution of group members to the composition of t he group, (b) individuals' experience of belonging to the group, and ( c) the impact of group membership on group members' personal life. The authors describe two examples from research on cohesion that addresse s questions about individuals' experience of belonging to groups and t he impact of group membership on their personal life. We conclude by n oting the limitations of the approach we advocate and mapping directio ns for future research suggested by our emphasis on individual-level a nalysis of small-group phenomena.