ecological study

An ecological study is a type of research that examines relationships between environmental factors and health or social outcomes across groups or regions, rather than individuals. For example, it might compare air pollution levels and respiratory illness rates across cities. These studies help identify patterns and generate hypotheses about potential links, but they cannot establish cause-and-effect for individuals because data are aggregated. Ecological studies are useful for understanding larger trends and guiding public health policies, but they have limitations in pinpointing specific causes at the personal level.