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Cited by 252

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 114 of the 114 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Revisiting Robinson: The perils of individualistic and ecologic fallacy

Subramanian, S V, Jones, Kelvyn, Kaddour, Afamia, Krieger, Nancy·2009·International Journal of Epidemiology
DOI 10.1093/ije/dyn359
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: W S Robinson made a seminal contribution by demonstrating that correlations for the same two variables can be different at the individual and ecologic level. This study reanalyzes and historically situates Robinson's influential study that laid the foundation for the primacy of analyzing data at only the individual level. METHODS: We applied a binomial multilevel logistic model to analyse variation in illiteracy as enumerated by the 1930 US. Census (the same data as used by Robinson). The outcome was log odds of being illiterate, while predictors were race/nativity ('native whites', 'foreign-born whites' and 'negroes') at the individual-level, and presence of Jim Crow segregation laws for education at the state-level. We conducted historical research to identify the social and scientific context within which Robinson's study was produced and favourably received. RESULTS: Empirically, the substantial state variations in illiteracy could not be accounted by the states' race/nativity composition. Different approaches to modelling state-effects yielded considerably attenuated associations at the individual-level between illiteracy and race/nativity. Furthermore, state variation in illiteracy was different across the race/nativity groups, with state variation being largest for whites and least for foreign-born whites. Strong effects of Jim Crow education laws on illiteracy were observed with the effect being strongest for blacks. Historically, Robinson's study was consonant with the post-World War II ascendancy of methodological individualism. CONCLUSION: Applying a historically informed multilevel perspective to Robinson's profoundly influential study, we demonstrate that meaningful analysis of individual-level relationships requires attention to substantial heterogeneity in state characteristics. The implication is that perils are posed by not only ecological fallacy but also individualistic fallacy. Multilevel thinking, grounded in historical and spatiotemporal context, is thus a necessity, not an option.

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Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 15

  1. Google. Google Scholar Google 2008 (10 June 2008, date last accessed) Available at Available at: http://scholar.google.com/schhp?hl=en&lr=
  2. Rothman, 1986, Modern Epidemiology.
  3. Rothman, 1998, Modern Epidemiology,.
  4. Gordis, 2004, Epidemiology.
  5. Susser, 1973, Causal Thinking in the Health Sciences.
  6. Hanushek, 1974, Model specification, use of aggregate data, and the ecological correlation fallacy, Pol Methodol, 1, 89
  7. Blakely, 2006, Multilevel studies, 316
  8. Macintyre, 2000, The social patterning of health: bringing the social context back in, Medl Sociol Newsl, 26, 14
  9. Browne, 2004, MCMC Estimation in MLwiN Version 2.0.
  10. Raudenbush, 2000, Marginalized Multilevel Models and Likelihood Inference: Comment, Stat Sci, 15, 22
  11. Morgan, 2003, Economics, 275
  12. Bannister, 2003, Sociology, 329
  13. Stevens, 1976, Equal!: TheCcase of Integration vs. Jim Crow.
  14. Douglas, 1997, Foreward – with synopsis of Murray, 23
  15. Robeson, 1950, Forge Negro-labor Unity for Peace and Jobs.

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Metadata

Authors
Subramanian, S. V., Jones, K., Kaddour, A., & Krieger, N.
Venue
International Journal of Epidemiology
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2009-01-28
Volume
38
Issue
2
Pages
342-360
ISSN
  • 1464-3685
  • 0300-5771
DOI
10.1093/ije/dyn359
Cited by
252
References
114
Language
en

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