response bias

Examples of response bias in the following topics:

• The Problems with Polls

  • Problems with polls typically stem either from issues with the methodology that bias the sample or the responses that cause the bias.
  • Since some people do not answer calls from strangers or refuse to answer the poll, poll samples may not be representative samples from a population due to a non-response bias.
  • In these cases, bias introduces new errors, in addition to errors caused by sample size.
  • Surveys may be affected by response bias, where the answers given by respondents do not reflect their true beliefs.
  • A common technique to control for this bias is to rotate the order in which questions are asked.

• How Well Do Probability Methods Work?

  • Failure to use probability sampling may result in bias or systematic errors in the way the sample represents the population.
  • This is especially true of voluntary response samples--in which the respondents choose themselves if they want to be part of a survey-- and convenience samples--in which individuals easiest to reach are chosen.
  • A third example of bias is called response bias.
  • Careful training of pollsters can greatly reduce response bias.
  • Finally, another source of bias can come in the wording of questions.

• Biases in Experimental Design: Validity, Reliability, and Other Issues

  • Sampling bias occurs when the sample participating in the study is not representative of the general population.
  • Response bias (also known as "self-selection bias") occurs when only certain types of people respond to a survey or study.
  • Thus, the responses collected are biased and not representative of the general population of interest.
  • Many of the admittedly "non-scientific" polls taken on television or websites suffer from response bias.
  • A response bias can also result when the non-random component occurs after the potential subject has enlisted in the experiment.

• Telephone Surveys

  • As some people do not answer calls from strangers, or may refuse to answer the poll, poll samples are not always representative samples from a population due to what is known as non-response bias.
  • In this type of bias, the characteristics of those who agree to be interviewed may be markedly different from those who decline.
  • However, if those who do not answer have different opinions, then the results have bias.
  • In terms of election polls, studies suggest that bias effects are small, but each polling firm has its own techniques for adjusting weights to minimize selection bias.
  • Undercoverage is a highly prevalent source of bias.

• Media Bias

  • Media bias is the bias of journalists and news producers in the selection of events and stories that are reported, and how they are covered.
  • Media bias is the bias of journalists and news producers within the mass media, concerning the selection of events and stories that are reported, and how they are covered.
  • The term "media bias" implies a pervasive or widespread bias contravening the standards of journalism, rather than the perspective of an individual journalist or article.
  • The most commonly discussed forms of bias occur when the media support or attack a particular political party, candidate, or ideology; however, other common forms of bias exist, including advertising bias, corporate bias, mainstream bias, sensationalism, and concision bias.
  • However, the person organizing the report still has the responsibility to choose people who really represent the breadth of opinion, to ask them non-prejudicial questions, and to edit or arbitrate their comments fairly.

• Memory Distortions and Biases

  • There are many identified types of bias that influence people's memories.
  • Hindsight bias is the "I knew it all along!"
  • When remembering an event, individuals will often perceive themselves as being responsible for desirable outcomes, but not responsible for undesirable ones.
  • This is known as the self-serving bias.
  • Evaluate how mood, suggestion, and imagination can lead to memory errors or bias

• Gender Bias in the Classroom

  • Gender-based achievement gaps suggest the existence of gender bias in the classroom.
  • Teachers may reinforce gender bias simply by drawing distinctions between boys and girls.
  • If test score gaps are evidence of gender bias, where does that gender bias come from?
  • Teachers may also influence students by the way they give praise, encourage a student to correct or expand an answer, criticize, or accept without evaluating a response.
  • Research suggests teachers are more likely to respond to boys with praise or encouragement, whereas they are more likely to respond to girls by simply accepting or acknowledging a response without evaluating it.

• Mass Media and Technology

  • Media bias refers the bias of journalists and news producers within the mass media.
  • The term "media bias" implies a pervasive or widespread bias contravening the standards of journalism, rather than the perspective of an individual journalist or article.
  • The direction and degree of media bias in various countries is widely disputed .
  • However, the person organizing the report still has the responsibility to choose people who really represent the breadth of opinion, to ask them non-prejudicial questions, and to edit their comments fairly.
  • The apparent bias of media is not always specifically political in nature.

• Policy Adoption

  • When the media displays a favorable bias, it can enhance a policy proposal's likelihood of adoption.
  • On the other hand, an unfavorable media bias may undermine a policy proposal.
  • Negative response also killed the Clinton administration's health care proposal.
  • However, the president has the sole responsibility of determining what policies are adopted on a nationwide level.

• Variations in Objectivity

  • When we are subjective in our speech, we put forth our own experience and bias into the conversation.
  • To be objective, then, is to remove yourself from your own experience and bias.
  • The reason for this is because you don't want your audience to accuse you of bias or preference as you substantiate your argument.
  • When they know that you don't have anything personally invested in the outcome of or response to your speech, they are more likely to trust you as as subject matter expert.