What is the Ecological Fallacy (in plain English)

A story about the ecological fallacy for data storytellers

[thesuperiorbench]

Instructions not clear, I've started smoking in pursuit of immortality

[yupyupup]

Thank you so much. My 50 minute lecture made me more confused, now I think I know what it all means!

[beckywilkie]

Thank you for explaining this! Often textbooks are un- relatable!

[kamielzeegers]

soooo, I should smoke more is what you're telling me, got it !

Joking joking. Thanks for the clear explanation ! I've noticed that it's often pretty difficult for people with a great understanding of statistics to explain the basics to 'beginners'. Your explanation did exactly that!

[premshankar]

You are an amazing story teller, Thank you for making my life easy. :)

[wademcdonald]

This was a great explanation that helped my understanding. Thank you.

[hallegordon]

This is a fantastic video that really helped a lot. Thank you

[dan]

Really good video, you made it extremely easy to understand

[JacquelineRadcliffe]

Thank you for this concise explanation, sometimes it's easier hearing it verbally than reading it in my the text book 😃

[deborahgibson]

Perfect way to explain this so it is understandable.

[lubna]

Perfect explanation! thank you so much :)

[Adiudicium-]

This was absolutely brilliant explanation, short and very simple, so easy to understand! You are an incredible teacher. Could you please make more videos, especially explaining odds ratios, absolute vs. relative risk, R2 values, univariate and multivariable linear regression, limitations to studies, etc.

[ebertini]

Loving this Heather! I am looking forward to seeing more.

[angustin]

Someone show this video to Malcolm Gladwell please.

[AK-fjtb]

Sorry but your presentation is misleading. The false inference regarding smoking and life expectancy could just as well occur with an analysis of individual level data. It has nothing to do with aggregation. It is simply an omitted variable problem. There is obviously something missing, likely per capita income, which improves health care but also allows people to afford cigarettes.