Beyond the ecological fallacy: potential problems when studying healthcare organisations.
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Authors
Saunders, Catherine L
Elliott, Marc N
Lyratzopoulos, Georgios https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2873-7421
Abel, Gary A
Abstract
Ecological studies, which consider patient groups rather than individuals, are common in health policy research. The ‘ecological fallacy’ is a well-recognised methodological concern, but in this perspectives paper, we focus on less often appreciated but equally important limitations of such studies. In particular, we consider reliability and power as they apply to ecological studies, and make recommendations to inform the appropriate design and interpretation of these increasingly popular studies.
Description
Keywords
Bias, Delivery of Health Care, Health Services, Health Services Research, Hospitals, Humans, Research Design
Journal Title
J R Soc Med
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
0141-0768
1758-1095
1758-1095
Volume Title
109
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Publisher DOI
Sponsorship
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. GL is supported by a Cancer Research UK Clinician Scientist Fellowship (A18180). The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of any funder or any other organisation or institution.