When I use a word . . . Defining bias in research

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Source: BMJ

Original: http://www.bmj.com/content/391/bmj.r2632.short?rss=1...

Published: 2025-12-12T08:56:02-08:00

The article analyzes three possible outcomes of an intervention study testing a new drug: improvement, deterioration, or no effect. Any result may be true, but there is always a risk of chance influence, lack of study sensitivity, or bias. Prejudices can strengthen or weaken a response, creating an apparent positive or negative effect, when in reality no change will occur. It can also be a combination of prejudices. Biases affect all types of clinical trials, not just interventional ones.