Robinson's Ecological correlations and the behavior of individuals: Methodological corrections

Abstract

Sixty years ago the late William S. Robinson (1913-96) published his Ecological Correlations and the Behaviors of Individuals. 1. The paper became an all-time classic and it is one of the most influential methodological papers in social sciences. To underscore its impact on epidemiology, this classic was reprinted in this journal, 2. along with an original re-analysis of Robinson's data and conclusion from a multilevel and historical perspective, 3. with discussions. 4-7. In this research letter, we identify, and correct, an error in Robinson's original analysis.