Biases

Definition

Biases are systematic errors or prejudices that affect the accuracy and reliability of data. They can occur at any stage of data collection, analysis, or interpretation.

Analogy

Imagine you're playing a video game and there's a glitch that causes your character to always move slightly to the left. This bias makes it harder for you to navigate through the game accurately. Similarly, biases in data sets can cause inaccurate results and make it difficult to draw reliable conclusions.

Related terms

Sampling Bias: Sampling bias occurs when the method used to select participants for a study is flawed, resulting in an unrepresentative sample.

Confirmation Bias: Confirmation bias refers to our tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms our preexisting beliefs or hypotheses.

Reporting Bias: Reporting bias happens when researchers selectively report certain results while omitting others based on their significance or alignment with desired outcomes.