Question
The study unit of an ecological study is?
| A. |
Population
|
| B. |
Patient
|
| C. |
Community
|
| D. |
Case
|
Show Answer
|
Correct Answer � A
Explanation
|
|
An ecological study is an observational study where the population is the main unit of analysis, not individuals.
It examines associations between environmental exposures and health outcomes on a large scale.
While useful in public health, these studies are prone to ecological fallacy—the assumption that group-level associations apply to individuals.
Ecological studies are commonly used to assess the impact of factors like environmental exposures and policies on health outcomes across populations.
