Bias in Surveys
Definition
Bias in surveys refers to systematic errors that occur when there's an inconsistency between the survey results and the true values in the target population due to flaws in data collection methods or respondent behavior.
Analogy
Imagine you're trying to measure the height of a basketball hoop, but you accidentally use a measuring tape that's slightly stretched. The measurement you get will consistently be higher than the actual height, introducing bias.
Related terms
Nonresponse Bias: This occurs when individuals chosen for the survey do not respond, leading to potential differences between respondents and non-respondents.
Sampling Bias: It happens when certain groups in the population are overrepresented or underrepresented in the sample.
Response Bias: This refers to systematic errors caused by how respondents answer survey questions, such as social desirability bias or leading questions.
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