What is information bias in a research study?
Information bias, also known as measurement bias or misclassification bias, is a non-random error in the measurement of the variables in a research study. This subtype of bias often happens when the criteria used to define the outcome or exposure are not sufficiently clear.
How does bias affects public health research and policy?
Bias related to methodological flaws or conflicts of interest (COI) can produce poor-quality, inaccurate studies. Policy and practice guidelines that are based on poor-quality research can have negative effects on individuals and populations.
What is information bias in research?
Information bias is a distortion in the measure of association caused by a lack of accurate measurements of key study variables. Information bias, also called measurement bias, arises when key study variables (exposure, health outcome, or confounders) are inaccurately measured or classified.
How can you avoid biased information?
There are ways, however, to try to maintain objectivity and avoid bias with qualitative data analysis:
- Use multiple people to code the data.
- Have participants review your results.
- Verify with more data sources.
- Check for alternative explanations.
- Review findings with peers.
How do you reduce bias in quantitative research?
Key tips on how to reduce bias in quantitative research
- Write your questions in a neutral tone to ensure that the respondent is not led to believe that there is a correct answer.
- Avoid asking if a respondent agrees/disagrees with a statement, as the respondent may be more likely to agree.
When might bias in an experiment occur?
Sampling bias occurs when the sample participating in the study is not representative of the general population. This may be the result of purposeful selection of participants by the researcher, but there are many other factors that can create sampling bias. One example is surveys taken during a presidential election.
Why is recall bias bad?
In recall bias, the disease status of subjects affects their likelihood of reporting the exposure. For example, a patient with cancer may be more likely to recall being a smoker. Recall bias is best avoided either by using cohort studies or by gaining information from alternative sources (such as hospital records).
What is surveillance bias?
Surveillance bias is a type of information bias which occurs when one group of subjects is followed up more closely than others, for example, if they undergo medical treatment1, 2.
What makes qualitative research prone to biases?
Although scientific or academic research needs to be handled objectively, the subjective nature of qualitative research may make it difficult for the researcher to be detached completely from the data, which in other words means that it is difficult to maintain objectivity and avoid bias.
When does information bias occur?
Information bias occurs as a result of misclassification of exposure or disease status. The figure below shows a two-by-two contingency table in which smiley-face icons represent the findings instead of numbers.
What causes sampling bias?
Sampling bias occurs when some members of a population are systematically more likely to be selected in a sample than others. It is also called ascertainment bias in medical fields. Sampling bias limits the generalizability of findings because it is a threat to external validity, specifically population validity.
What is an example of information bias?
Missing data can be a major cause of information bias, where certain groups of people are more likely to have missing data. An example where differential recording may occur is in smoking data within medical records. The bias was more likely when the exposure is dichotomized.
What is bias in memory?
In psychology and cognitive science, a memory bias is a cognitive bias that either enhances or impairs the recall of a memory (either the chances that the memory will be recalled at all, or the amount of time it takes for it to be recalled, or both), or that alters the content of a reported memory.
Does bias affect validity?
The internal validity, i.e. the characteristic of a clinical study to produce valid results, can be affected by random and systematic (bias) errors. Bias cannot be minimised by increasing the sample size. Most violations of internal validity can be attributed to selection bias, information bias or confounding.
What is research bias in psychology?
any unintended errors in the research process or the interpretation of its results that are attributable to an investigator’s expectancies or preconceived beliefs.
How do you address a recall bias?
Strategies that might reduce recall bias include careful selection of the research questions, choosing an appropriate data collection method, studying people to study with new-onset disease or use a prospective design, which is the most appropriate way to avoid recall bias.