Understanding Bias

Front

Identify sources of bias

Back

Sources of bias can include personal experiences, cultural influences, and media exposure.

Front

Biased Study

Back

A study conducted by a procedure that tends to overestimate or underestimate a population value is said to be biased.

Front

Unbiased Study

Back

A study conducted by a procedure that produces the correct result on the average is said to be unbiased.

Front

Definition of Bias

Back

Bias is the degree to which a procedure systematically overestimates or underestimates a population value.

Front

Voluntary Response Survey

Back

A survey where people are invited to express their opinions by logging on to a website, sending a text message, or calling a phone number.

Front

Bias in Voluntary Response Surveys

Back

These surveys are highly biased because the opinions of participants often do not reflect the population as a whole.

Front

Participation in Voluntary Response Surveys

Back

People with strong opinions are more likely to participate in these surveys.

Front

Self-Interest Bias

Back

Many advertisements contain data about their product being superior, but may not report data showing the product is inferior.

Front

Self-Interest in Scientific Research

Back

Companies may pay scientists or physicians to publish favorable results involving their products or drugs.

Front

Incentive for Biased Methods

Back

People with a self-interest in the outcome of an experiment have an incentive to use biased methods.