Question

Which of the following might be (an) example(s) of an ecological fallacy? (there are 6 choices, read all choices)

a.A study of the association between average BMI by county (as assessed by county-level school board statistics) and average GPA, with a conclusion that higher BMI is associated with lower GPA.

b.A study of the relationship between consumption of alcohol (measured by sales per capita) and the number of car accidents per capita, with a conclusion that more alcohol a person consumes, the more likely they are to be involved in a car accident.

c. A study of the association between county policy to fluorinate water and the prevalence of dental caries, concluding that consuming fluoridated water is associated with a decrease in the risk of dental caries.

d. A time-trend analysis examining the correlation between number of recommended vaccines in the first year and the prevalence of autism, concluding that the more vaccines a child receives the more likely he/she is to be diagnosed with autism.

e.B and C

f.All of the above.

Answer 1

ECOLOGICAL FALLACY is a mistake caused by assuming what is true for a group is true for the individual members of the group or it can be also explain as a false assumptions.

ANSWER : D ( is an example of ecological fallacy)

A. When there is a high BMI in school children meaning GPA also have an negative correlation with the BMI. If the BMI is high, low GPA may link with obesity. So this is not a false assumption.

B. It is true tat when there is an increased consumption of alcohol, chances of road accident is always high. It is a true assumption because it always occurs.

C. It is true that fluoridated water contains fluoride at a level which is effective for preventing dental cavities. It is a true assumption.

D. Some parents believe that more vaccines can result in Autism in children. It is false assumption and it is proven that MMR (Mumps,Measles and Rubella) not cause autism. Autism is a serious developmental disorder that causes problems in communication, social and behavior interactions. It does not make sense that a vaccine would cause a condition that the disease itself does not cause, since a vaccine is essentially a symptomless infection. So it is a false asssumption.