Studying ten years of college sociology classes,Rudy found that the first three years each class had a higher average GPA than the following seven.He then concluded that the students were smarter during those early years.What has Rudy done?
A) used verstehen.
B) using content analysis.
C) studying manifest content.
D) committing the ecological fallacy.
E) performing a replication.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rudy has committed the ecological fallacy, which is the erroneous assumption that conclusions about individuals can be made based solely on group data. In this case, he has assumed that the higher average GPA in the first three years of college sociology classes means that students were smarter during those years, without considering individual factors such as changes in curriculum, teacher quality, or student motivation.

Studying Ten Years of College Sociology Classes,Rudy Found That the First