Ecological fallacy (Ecological bias) occurs when:
- A Individual-level data are extrapolated to group-level conclusions erroneously
- B Environmental factors are ignored in individual-level analyses
- C Group-level (aggregate) associations are incorrectly applied to draw conclusions about individuals ✓
- D Case-control studies are misclassified as cohort studies
Correct answer: C. Group-level (aggregate) associations are incorrectly applied to draw conclusions about individuals
Explanation
Ecological fallacy arises in ecological studies when associations observed at the group/population level are incorrectly used to infer individual-level relationships. Classic example: although countries with higher fat intake have higher breast cancer rates, it does not mean individual women who eat more fat have higher breast cancer risk. Cross-level inference from aggregate data can mislead individual-level conclusions.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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