Grain smallest unit of observation and measurement smallest and most ephemeral entities that can be found in the data Eg. Microscope Unicellular algae 1m x 1m pit Soil survey 20m x 20m plot Vegetation survey 1 ha plot Vertebrate survey Grain=“ Filter3 human primary senses minimum unit of measurement. size of measuring ' rodGrain = smallest unit of observation and measurement = smallest and most ephemeral entities that can be found in the data Eg. Microscope Unicellular algae 1m x 1m pit Soil survey 20m x 20m plot Vegetation survey 1 ha plot Vertebrate survey • Grain = ‘Filter’ - human primary senses - minimum unit of measurement; size of measuring ‘rod’