Researcher Biases

Abstract

This entry introduces the definition, common forms, and sources of researcher bias as well as means of reducing it. Researcher bias refers to researcher's tendency of having a partial perspective, which favors certain population or opinions against the alternatives. After introducing a few common researcher biases: sampling bias, interpretation bias, confirmation bias, and fundamental attribution error, this entry discusses how bias can rise from researchers’ personal characteristics, stereotypes, assumptions about human nature, academic structure and culture, and financial ties. Finally, it recommends methods and principles for reducing researcher bias: psychologists’ motivation to reduce bias, standard measures against bias, reflexivity, and findings from cognitive psychology and social psychology on human thinking.

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