How Does Subjectivity Arise in Epidemiological Research?
Subjectivity can arise in epidemiological research through various means. One primary source is researcher bias, where the preconceptions and beliefs of researchers influence study design, data collection, and interpretation of results. For instance, selecting study cohorts or defining exposure and outcome measures can be influenced by subjective opinions. Additionally, self-reported data from study participants can be inherently subjective due to recall bias or personal interpretations of questions.