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Information and Selection Bias Identification:

(i) Identify if information or selection bias is present in the scenarios below.
(ii) Define the type of information bias (e.g., recall bias) or selection bias (e.g., loss to follow up).

User Pashka
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Final answer:

In health studies, information bias involves systematic errors in data collection, such as recall and response biases, and selection bias results from non-representative sample selection. Cognitive biases like confirmation bias can affect judgement, making it crucial to recognize and address these biases in research.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of health and research studies, it's critical to identify and understand various types of biases that can affect the validity of study findings. Information bias and selection bias are two prevalent categories of bias to recognize. Information bias refers to any systematic error in the assessment or collection of data, which leads to incorrect conclusions. Examples include recall bias, where participants may not accurately remember past events, and response bias, where respondents might give inaccurate answers, often influenced by social desirability.

On the other hand, selection bias occurs when the method used to select study participants results in a sample that's not representative of the population intended to be analyzed. This can happen if certain members of the population have a lower or higher likelihood of being included in the study than others. An example is the sampling errors that occur due to the unrepresentativeness of the sample, for instance in a survey conducted only during specific hours that exclude certain participants.

When conducting research or processing information, cognitive biases such as confirmation bias, where individuals seek and prioritize information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs, can skew perception and judgement. It's essential for researchers, as well as individuals examining their beliefs, to be cognizant of these biases and strive to mitigate their effects to preserve the integrity of their findings or views.

User Johan Leino
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