bias

bias

 [bi´as]

1. (in a measurement process) systematic error.

2. any influence or action at any stage of a study that systematically distorts the findings.

3. (of a statistical estimator) the difference between the expected value of the estimator and the true parameter value.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

bi·as

(bī'-as),

1. Systematic discrepancy between a measurement and the true value; may be constant or proportionate and may adversely affect test results.

2. Any trend in the collection, analysis, interpretation, publication, or review of data that can lead to conclusions that differ systematically from the truth; deviation of results or inferences from the truth, or processes leading to deviation.

[Fr. biais, obliquity, perh. fr. L. bifax, two-faced]

There is no imputation of prejudice, partisanship, or other subjective or emotional factor such as an investigator's desire to achieve a particular outcome. More than 100 varieties of bias have been described, but all fall into a small number of classes: 1. Systematic one-sided variation of measurements from the true value. SYN systematic error, instrumental error 2. Variation of statistical summary measures (means, rates, measures of association) from their true values as a result of systematic variation of measurements, other flaws in data collection, or flaws in study design or analysis. 3. Deviation of inferences from the truth as a result of flaws in study design, data collection, or the analysis or interpretation of results. 4. A tendency of procedures in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, review or publication, to yield results or conclusions that depart from the truth. 5. Prejudice leading to the conscious or subconscious selection of study procedures that depart from the truth in a particular direction, or to one-sidedness in interpretation of results. This last form of bias can arise as a result of shoddy scientific methods or deliberate misrepresentation of the truth by investigators.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

bias

Epidemiology Deviation of results or inferences from the truth, or processes leading to such systematic deviation; any trend in the collection, analysis, interpretation, publication, or review of data that can lead to conclusions that are systematically incorrect

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

bi·as

(bī'ăs)

1. Systematic discrepancy between a measurement and the true value; may be constant or proportionate and may adversely affect test results.

2. Any trend in the collection, analysis, interpretation, publication, or review of data that can lead to conclusions that differ systematically from the truth; deviation of results or inferences from the truth, or processes leading to deviation.

[Fr. biais, obliquity, perh. fr. L. bifax, two-faced]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

bi·as

(bī'ăs)

1. Systematic discrepancy between a measurement and the true value; may be constant or proportionate and may adversely affect test results.

2. Any trend in the collection, analysis, interpretation, publication, or review, which can lead to conclusions that differ systematically from the truth; deviation of results or inferences from the truth, or processes leading to deviation.

[Fr. biais, obliquity, perh. fr. L. bifax, two-faced]

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012