Complete Entire Week 3

Give Feedback/response, write 150 to 200 words to all four paragraphs below. Follow the assessment_rubric_for_participation attachment when responding.

1. According to Šimundi? (2013), bias in any trend or deviation from the truth in data collection, data analysis, interpretation and publication which can cause false conclusions.  A researcher's beliefs and values are reflected in the choice of methodology and interpretation of findings as well as in the choice of their topic.  Qualitative research bias not only affects the validity but also the reliability of findings and thus decisions.  Researches with bias deviate from the truth and are skewed the researcher's own self.  Research bias in qualitative research may occur due to bias in data collection (Šimundi? (2013).  Dealing with the whole population may make it impossible to carry out research.  Therefore researchers pick representative samples to represent the whole population.  A sample is picked in a way that conclusions drawn from it can be used to generalize on the whole population. When this is not the case bias will definitely set in.  Sroufe (2001) concluded that parenting influences the various development in children, however, the study sample focused more on children whose parents were constantly fighting.  Despite the truth in the study's conclusions, some bias is sensed in the samples used.  Bias in qualitative research affects the validity and reliability of the findings of a research.  This is a clear indication that the methodology was tampered with, either intentionally or unintentionally.  The transparency of the researcher as well as the honesty of their presentations is affected, thus affecting the conclusions drawn from the qualitative research.  Bias may set in qualitative research through planning, data collection and analysis.

 

 

References

Šimundi?, A.-M. (2013). Bias in research. Biochemia Medica, 23(1), 12-15. http://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2013.003

Sroufe, L. A. (2001). From infant attachment to promotion of adolescent autonomy: Prospective, longitudinal data on the role of parents in development. In J. G. Borkowski, S. L. Ramey & M. Bristol-Power (Eds.), Parenting and the Child's World: Influences on Academic, Intellectual, and Social-emotional Development. Psychology Press.

2. As my classmates indicated, bias occurs when data or analysis is not portrayed truthfully in research. This bias, especially within qualitative research, can be caused by a researcher attempting to validate his hypothesis by stretching the results, but as Cozby and Bates (2015) indicate, bias can occur from participant observation within a study. When an observer participates in an experience as an actual participant, the study "will likely be biased and conclusions will lack objectivity" (Cozby & Bates, 2015, p. 121). Therefore, the observer becomes too involved, creating unsubstantiated proof or a blurred understanding of the behaviors observed.

It is up to editors, instructors, and peer reviewers to insure that studies that potentially contain qualitative bias are not allowed for distribution. Based upon a study by Toews et al. (2016), a large amount of submitted studies, approximately 60%, are not disseminated, due to potential bias, mostly from inadequate study and report quality. It is important that this trend continues, as the falsified results are not used by those who may apply the finding to their practice or daily lives.

 

Cozby, P. C., & Bates, S. C. (2015). Methods in Behavioral Research (12th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

 

Toews, I., Glenton, G., Lewin, S., Berg, R. C., Noyes, J., Booth, A., Marusic, A., Malicki, M., Munth-Kaas, H. M., & Meerpohl, J. J.(2016, Feb). Extent, Awareness and Perception of Dissemination Bias in Qualitative Research: An Explorative Survey. PLus ONE 11(8) doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159290

3. To add to the discussion of research bias in a qualitative method. According to Pannucci and Wilkins (2011)  bias is defined as any tendency which prevents unprejudiced consideration of question. In published study there will always be some degree of bias. When a reader understand that some bias may happen than they should look at how the conclusion is influenced by the bias content (Pannucci & Wilkins, 2011). Bias in research can occur at anytime if we this study talks about it happening in research during study design. Pannucci and Wilkins (2011)  say that the risk and outcome has to be clearly defined prior to study implementation (Pannucci & Wilkins, 2011).

Pannucci C., J., & Wilkins, E., G. (2011) Identifying and Avoiding Bias Research.

Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

4. Hello Instructor and Class,

I found an article that looked at Qualitative research and bias within that research. It was actually very informative. The original study was performed as Quantitative research but it appeared that there was bias information collected. According to Latkin, Mai, Ha, Sriaipan, Zelaya, LeMinh, & Go (2016), "A sample of study participants was reinterviewed. The vast majority reported being truthful and emphasized the importance of rapport with the study staff for achieving veridical data. However, some stated that rapport may lead to under reporting of risk behaviors in order not to disappoint study staff" (p.417). I never thought that having a rapport with a client in a study would lead to bias due to the client not wanting to disappoint the staff conducting the study. The article also addresses other ways in order to reduce bias in Qualitative research. According to Latkin et. al. (2016), "The time frame for reporting on risk behaviors to minimize recall bias has also been studied and for self-reports of sexual risk behaviors a three month window has been found to be superior to longer time frames" (p. 418). From that information it appears that if the client is given a smaller window of time to report information, then there will be a smaller amount of bias reported. 

Reference:

Latkin, C. A., Mai, N. T., Ha, T. V., Sripaipan, T., Zelaya, C., Le Minh, N., & ... Go, V. F. (2016). Social Desirability Response Bias and Other Factors That May Influence Self-Reports of Substance Use and HIV Risk Behaviors: A Qualitative Study of Drug Users in Vietnam. AIDS Education & Prevention, 28(5), 417-425. doi:10.1521/aeap.2016.28.5.417