relatieniveau

Relatieniveau is a term used in Dutch-language research methodology to denote the level at which relationships between variables are specified or analyzed. It describes the granularity or scope of relational information considered in a study, rather than the magnitude of an observed association.

In practice, relatieniveau influences study design and data analysis. It can denote the unit of analysis (for example, individuals, households, or organizations) or the context in which relationships are assessed (micro-, meso-, or macro-level). A higher relatieniveau implies analysis across broader or more aggregated contexts, while a lower relatieniveau focuses on finer, more specific links. Multilevel or hierarchical models are commonly used to accommodate different relatieniveau in data, enabling the estimation of effects at multiple contextual levels and the isolation of within- and between-group influences.

Related concepts include correlation, causation, interaction effects, unit of analysis, and multilevel modeling. The term appears in methodological discussions in Dutch-language research literature and is particularly relevant for studies aiming to generalize findings across contexts or to assess contextual moderators of relationships.