An error in explanation in which the empirical data about associations found among large-scale units of analysis are greatly over-generalized and treated as evidence for statements about relationships among much smaller units is called a (an) __________.

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The ecological fallacy occurs when researchers make inferences about individuals based solely on aggregate level data. It involves generalizing from macroscale observations to microscale interpretations, and is sometimes called a "reductionist error". An example would be assuming that all residents of a wealthy neighborhood are themselves wealthy, based only on data about the neighborhood's average income level.

An Error in Explanation in Which the Empirical Data About