R1 – “I am telling you, the result will be this.” Show
R2 – “How can you be so sure?” R1 – “See, from the observation, I feel results will be in favor of my assumption.” R2 – “So, all this is based on your feeling?” R1 – “Oh yes, I am so sure that I can predict the result!” R2 – “You are biased! The whole point of an observational study is to keep it unbiased, what if you unintentionally tweak the experiment to get the desirable result?” This discussion between two researchers talks about how observer bias could alter the results and inferences in a research. Often, researchers are unaware or get swayed by their expectations and assumption in research. Although it appears as a trivial issue, observer bias could impact research study and deviate the results to a great extent from the original expectations.
Observer bias is defined as a researcher’s expectation about their research study. To be more precise, it is a type of bias that occurs when the person has personal judgement or perspective that affects their ability to reach or discuss an impartial conclusion. Research bias is a problem in research studies wherein the information collected is affected by the fact that the researcher has expectations about what is going to happen. For example, if a researcher is trying to find out a particular result, and have an incentive to produce data that confirms predication. What Is Observation Research?In observational research, one often records behavior or take measurements from the experiment without trying to influence the outcome of the experiment. Furthermore, many research fields use observational studies, such as medicine, psychology, behavioral science, and ethnography. Impact of Observer Bias on ResearchThis type of bias can result in misleading information. Moreover, it can affect the data collection and the acquired results can fail to accurately represent what exists in reality because the results were interpreted under researcher’s bias and prejudice. In fact, this type of bias not only leads to inaccurate data sets, but also can be damaging to scientific research and policy decisions. Additionally, the presence of bias in your study can cause negative outcomes for people involved in the research study. Furthermore, it can lead to misinterpretation of their behavior and biased treatment from the researchers. Types of Observer BiasThere are different types of research bias which are closely related to observer bias. Observer-expectancy EffectThis effect occurs when the researcher unconsciously treats same experiment differently with different subjects, leading to unequal results within an experiment. Furthermore, observer-expectancy effect occurs when the research deliberately treats the experiment differently because their assumed hypothesis and want to test it. Moreover, it could also happen when a researcher influences the subjects/participants of the experiment into believing their assumed hypothesis. Actor-observer EffectThis phenomenon occurs wherein the researcher attributes the actions to external factor. So, the actor here is the person who is performing the behavior — a subject in the research or an outcome of an experiment. Furthermore, the observer is the one watching/observing the subject or the outcome of experiment — a researcher. Finally, the attribution refers to what the researcher thinks caused the outcome. This bias explains why we, as researchers, blame situation for the outcome of experiments when we would not blame ourselves for conditioning our thoughts in the desired way. Hawthorne EffectThis is a type of bias that occurs in a research wherein the behavior of the subject changes because they are under observation. During 1920s and 1930s, Western Electric Company’s Hawthorne Works factory in Cicero, Illinois conducted series of experiments. Experimenter BiasThis bias includes all types of biases from researchers that may influence their studies. It includes observer bias, observer expectancy effects, actor-observer bias, and other biases. Before you begin a research study, you may have already formulated an idea of what the results will be. This is where you are setting yourself up for being biased. When you have a predetermined idea of the results and conduct a study to test your theory, if you don’t get the exact results that confirm your theory, then you may want to twist the results to make them more in line with your predictions. Ways to Minimize Observer BiasThere are several ways to minimize observer bias in research studies. The ways in which you could minimize the bias include:
Observer Bias ExamplesExample 1You’re examining the effects of a new painkiller for headache. You run an experiment with two groups: Group A receives the actual treatment with the new painkiller Group B receives no treatment, but instead takes a placebo The participants don’t know whether they’re part of Group A or B, but you do. Unconsciously, you treat the two groups differently while conducting a survey about their level of headache. You treat Group B as if you expect the participants to still be in pain and frame your questions more negatively than for Group A. Example 2Let us consider a study that attempts to show that taking a certain vitamin increases concentration levels in participants. If the researchers expect to find that result, they might be more likely to encourage participants who are taking the vitamin to talk about how much better they’re doing on their tests or point out that they seem more alert and focused. In this way, their expectations can affect the results of the study allowing them to “prove” something that wasn’t true in the first place. ConclusionObserver bias can affect your research study and therefore, you must try and minimize it. Make sure your observations are as consistent as possible and do not alter when subjected to change in observer/researcher. Also, be careful not to allow your personal feelings about the experiment affect the results. Have you ever faced this dilemma of bias in your research? How did you deal with it? Do write to us or comment below and tell us about your experience. Which two types of validity in an experiment can observer bias threaten?Observer bias can affect internal and construct validity Using a double blind study can prevent demand characteristics and observer bias.
Which of the following is a method used to reduce observer bias?Which of the following is a method to control for observer bias? Use a masked or blind study design. Observer bias that comes about from the observers' seeing what they want to see is avoided when the observers are "blind" to the conditions to which the participants are assigned.
When a doubleWhen a double-blind study is not possible, an acceptable alternative may be a ________. They can be avoided with counterbalancing.
What is one good method researchers can use to identify attrition?Despite taking preventive measures, you may still have attrition in your research. You can detect attrition bias by comparing participants who stay with participants who leave your study. Use your baseline data to compare participants on all variables in your study.
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