SELECTION BIAS Meaning and
Definition
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Selection bias is a statistical term that refers to a distortion in statistical analysis due to the way in which the sample of data is selected or chosen. It occurs when the sample chosen is not representative of the population from which it is drawn, leading to inaccurate or misleading results.
In a study or survey, selection bias may arise if the selection process favors certain individuals or groups over others, leading to an unbalanced representation of the population. This can occur due to various reasons, such as non-random sampling methods, self-selection bias, or exclusion of certain groups from the study. For example, if a study on the effectiveness of a drug includes only healthy individuals, the results may not be representative of the general population, which might include individuals with underlying health conditions.
Selection bias can distort the findings and conclusions of a study, making them less generalizable or applicable to the wider population. It can introduce an overrepresentation or underrepresentation of certain characteristics within the sample, leading to biased estimates of measures such as means, proportions, or associations. Consequently, the validity and reliability of the study's results may be compromised.
Researchers and statisticians attempt to minimize selection bias by using random sampling techniques or adjusting for potential confounding variables during analysis. This helps to ensure that the sample is representative of the population and that any observed relationships or differences are valid and not due to selection bias.
Common Misspellings for SELECTION BIAS
- aelection bias
- zelection bias
- xelection bias
- delection bias
- eelection bias
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- sekection bias
- sepection bias
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- selwction bias
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- selrction bias
- sel4ction bias
Etymology of SELECTION BIAS
The word "selection" originates from the Latin word "selectus", which means "chosen" or "picked out". It came into English through the Old French word "selection", which has a similar meaning. The term "bias" stems from the Latin word "biāsus", which referred to a slanting or diagonal line. In English, it later acquired the sense of a mental inclination or prejudice. Therefore, the etymology of "selection bias" combines the idea of choosing with a tendency or leaning, indicating a systematic error or distortion in the process of selecting participants or data in research or analysis.
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