What role does bias play in misleading conclusions?
Bias is a systematic error that can distort the findings of a study. It can occur at any stage, from data collection to analysis. Common types of bias include:
Recall Bias: Participants may not accurately remember past exposures or events. Observer Bias: Researchers may unconsciously influence or interpret data in a way that supports their hypothesis. Survivorship Bias: Focusing on subjects who have survived or persisted, while ignoring those who did not.
