Information bias in health research: definition, pitfalls, and adjustment methods

• Published in: Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 211 - 217
• Main Author: Althubaiti, Alaa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Alcohol; Analysis; Bias; Bioassays; confirmation bias; Data collection; Design; Information bias; Interviews; Laboratories; measurement error bias; Medical records; Medical research; Medical screening; Methods; Questionnaires; Recall; recall bias; Researchers; Review; Self report; self-report bias; Set (Psychology); Validity; New York; United States > US; self-report bias; social desirability bias; measurement error bias; confirmation bias; misclassification; recall bias
• ISSN: 1178-2390; 1178-2390
• DOI: 10.2147/JMDH.S104807

As with other fields, medical sciences are subject to different sources of bias. While understanding sources of bias is a key element for drawing valid conclusions, bias in health research continues to be a very sensitive issue that can affect the focus and outcome of investigations. Information bias, otherwise known as misclassification, is one of the most common sources of bias that affects the validity of health research. It originates from the approach that is utilized to obtain or confirm study measurements. This paper seeks to raise awareness of information bias in observational and experimental research study designs as well as to enrich discussions concerning bias problems. Specifying the types of bias can be essential to limit its effects and, the use of adjustment methods might serve to improve clinical evaluation and health care practice.