A Solution to the Ecological Inference Problem

Reconstructing Individual Behavior from Aggregate Data

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book A Solution to the Ecological Inference Problem by Gary King, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Gary King ISBN: 9781400849208
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: September 20, 2013
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Gary King
ISBN: 9781400849208
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: September 20, 2013
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

This book provides a solution to the ecological inference problem, which has plagued users of statistical methods for over seventy-five years: How can researchers reliably infer individual-level behavior from aggregate (ecological) data? In political science, this question arises when individual-level surveys are unavailable (for instance, local or comparative electoral politics), unreliable (racial politics), insufficient (political geography), or infeasible (political history). This ecological inference problem also confronts researchers in numerous areas of major significance in public policy, and other academic disciplines, ranging from epidemiology and marketing to sociology and quantitative history. Although many have attempted to make such cross-level inferences, scholars agree that all existing methods yield very inaccurate conclusions about the world. In this volume, Gary King lays out a unique--and reliable--solution to this venerable problem.

King begins with a qualitative overview, readable even by those without a statistical background. He then unifies the apparently diverse findings in the methodological literature, so that only one aggregation problem remains to be solved. He then presents his solution, as well as empirical evaluations of the solution that include over 16,000 comparisons of his estimates from real aggregate data to the known individual-level answer. The method works in practice.

King's solution to the ecological inference problem will enable empirical researchers to investigate substantive questions that have heretofore proved unanswerable, and move forward fields of inquiry in which progress has been stifled by this problem.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book provides a solution to the ecological inference problem, which has plagued users of statistical methods for over seventy-five years: How can researchers reliably infer individual-level behavior from aggregate (ecological) data? In political science, this question arises when individual-level surveys are unavailable (for instance, local or comparative electoral politics), unreliable (racial politics), insufficient (political geography), or infeasible (political history). This ecological inference problem also confronts researchers in numerous areas of major significance in public policy, and other academic disciplines, ranging from epidemiology and marketing to sociology and quantitative history. Although many have attempted to make such cross-level inferences, scholars agree that all existing methods yield very inaccurate conclusions about the world. In this volume, Gary King lays out a unique--and reliable--solution to this venerable problem.

King begins with a qualitative overview, readable even by those without a statistical background. He then unifies the apparently diverse findings in the methodological literature, so that only one aggregation problem remains to be solved. He then presents his solution, as well as empirical evaluations of the solution that include over 16,000 comparisons of his estimates from real aggregate data to the known individual-level answer. The method works in practice.

King's solution to the ecological inference problem will enable empirical researchers to investigate substantive questions that have heretofore proved unanswerable, and move forward fields of inquiry in which progress has been stifled by this problem.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book Old Masters and Young Geniuses by Gary King
Cover of the book Islam and the Challenge of Democracy by Gary King
Cover of the book Rewriting the Soul by Gary King
Cover of the book Guaranteed to Fail by Gary King
Cover of the book Genetics in the Madhouse by Gary King
Cover of the book Tolstoy's Art and Thought, 1847-1880 by Gary King
Cover of the book Prophets of the Past by Gary King
Cover of the book Shaping Jazz by Gary King
Cover of the book The Little Book of String Theory by Gary King
Cover of the book Resolve in International Politics by Gary King
Cover of the book Lesson Plan by Gary King
Cover of the book Democracy for Realists by Gary King
Cover of the book The Econometrics of Financial Markets by Gary King
Cover of the book Rhetoric and Reality in Air Warfare by Gary King
Cover of the book "Keep the Damned Women Out" by Gary King
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy