In: Statistics and Probability
Match each of the following studies and sources of bias.
A. Undercoverage Bias
B. Self selection bias
C. Survivorship bias
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Firstly you need to understand the three types of bias given above:
A) Undercoverage Bias - This type of bias occurs when the population is not appropriately represented in the sample.
B) Self selection bias - This type of bias occurs when respondents have an option to select themselves in a study. Generally respondents with strong opinions are over represented.
C) Survivorship bias - This bias is caused because some respondent fail a certain selection process or dropout in between the study and thus may result in a sample that is finally analysed and is not representative of the population.
In a study of anxiety disorders, anxiety levels were first measured during a 3 month, no treatment baseline period, and then during a 3 month treatment period. Participants with more severe symptoms tended to drop out of the study during the baseline period - Survivorship bias (due to dropouts)
A study looking at the most popular musical genres collected data from Pandora (internet radio) - Undercoverage Bias (as other sources are not considered)
A large company was seeking to increase morale. To understand what makes for satisfied employees, an ad was placed in the company newsletter asking for employees to volunteer to be interviewed about their satisfaction with the company. Employees who were more satisfied with the company were more likely to respond to the ad than those who were less satisfied - Self selection bias (Volunteering allowed)
An ad for a study investigating the mechanisms by which different methods of exercise affect health indicating that participants would be asked to follow a strict and high intensity workout routine for four months. People who enjoy working out were more likely to volunteer than others - Self selection bias (Volunteering allowed)
A study of the study habits of undergraduate students was being conducted at UNM mail campus. Participants were selected from all of New Mexico's colleges and universities. Participants needed to travel to UNM on 3 occasions in order to participate. Students attending schools that are far from Albuquerque were more likely to miss the follow up sessions than local participants - Survivorship bias (due to dropouts)