A Researcher Studies Community-Level Arson Rates in Relation to Economic

question 9

Multiple Choice

A researcher studies community-level arson rates in relation to economic indicators such as household income, poverty, and unemployment. The researcher finds that communities with higher arson rates have higher poverty and unemployment rates and lower household income. The researcher concluded that unemployed people are more likely to commit arson than are those who are employed. What error was just committed?

• A) the ecological fallacy
• B) reductionism
• C) using the wrong time dimension
• D) an internal validity threat

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Definitions:

Inductive Argument

A type of reasoning that constructs or assesses propositions based on evidence or examples, with conclusions that are probable and supported by the premises rather than definitively proven.

Deductive Argument

A form of reasoning where, if the premises are true, the conclusion necessarily follows.

Implicit Premise

An unstated assumption that supports the logical structure of an argument.

Opponent's Argument

The viewpoint or stance presented by someone opposed to a particular position or argument.