Types of Bias

Question 1

Participant Variables

Answer 1

Characteristics of an individual (such as age/intelligence) that might influence the outcome of a study.

This can be controlled by using repeated measures or matched pairs design. You could also use random allocation.

Question 2

Order effects

Answer 2

In a repeated measures design, a confounding variable arising from the order in which the conditions are presented e.g. a practice effect or boredom effect.

This can be controlled by using counterbalancing.

Question 3

Demand Characteristics

Answer 3

Any cue from the researcher or research situation that may be interpreted by participants as revealing the purpose of the investigation. This may lead to a participant changing their behaviour within the research situation.

This can be controlled by making sure there are no leading questions and the environment remains neutral. Or by using single blind structure.

Question 4

Investigator effects

Answer 4

Any effect of the investigator’s behaviour on the research outcome. This may include everything from the design of the study to the selection of, and interaction with, the participants during the research process.

This can be controlled by using standardised procedures and keeping objectivity when finding results.

Question 5

Confounding variables

Answer 5

Any variable other than the IV that may have affected the DV so we cannot be sure of the true source of changes to the DV. Confounding variables vary systematically with the IV.

These can be controlled by using randomisation and standardisation.

Question 6

Participant reactivity

Answer 6

The tendency for participants to react to cues from the researcher or research environment.

This can be controlled by making sure there are no leading questions and the environment remains neutral.

Question 7

Acquiescence bias

Answer 7

Tendency for a person to respond to any questionnaire/interview item with agreement regardless of the actual content.

This can be controlled by using open questions or by rewording the questions.

Question 8

Researcher bias

Answer 8

The researcher having control over certain choices in the experiment and avoiding certain things (conscious or subconscious).

This can be controlled by using objective methods like randomisation.

Question 9

Social Desirability bias

Answer 9

A tendency for respondents to answer questions in such a way that presents themselves in a better light.

This can be controlled by not telling the participants what the questionnaire measures until afterwards.

Question 10

Volunteer Bias

Answer 10

Asking for volunteers will attract certain types of people so this will not be representative.

This can be controlled by not using a volunteer sample or including incentives to make other people want to participate.

Question 11

Interviewer Bias

Answer 11

This can be controlled by using double blind structure and inter-interviewer reliability.

Question 12

Cultural Bias

Answer 12

When participants interpret information or behaviour based on their cultural norms.

This can be controlled by having different cultural backgrounds involved or only apply the results to the culture it was studied.

Question 13

Publication Bias

Answer 13

Only positive findings or findings that agree with the theory are published.

This can be controlled by publishing all findings.

Question 14

Experimenter Bias

Question 15

Confirmation Bias

Answer 15

The tendency to seek out and remember information that confirms our existing beliefs and ignores information that contradicts them.

This can be controlled by asking a peer what they think of the information and how they would interpret it. Or use a double blind structure.

Question 16

Anchoring Bias

Answer 16

A tendency to fixate on initial information we receive and fail to adjust our opinion for subsequent information.

This can be controlled by using counterbalancing.

Question 17

Own Age Bias

Answer 17

This can be controlled by having a range of different ages involved in the study.