Social Desirability Bias in Research - Assignment Example

828096 - INDEPENDENT BUSINESS ANALYSIS PROJECT Task suggestion Definition Cognitive bias is generally a ive trend of mental reasoning whereby there is a deviation from the stipulated pattern of judgment. To this end, Thinda (2009) has explained that cognitive bias is a “mistake in judgment that takes place by processing information through subjective filters of our thoughts, values and experiences, therefore twisting our understanding.” Ideally therefore, cognitive bias brings about a deviation from accepted standards of reasoning and judgment. Types of cognitive bias p24 of workshop (attached) The variety that exists between groups of people create a situation whereby cognitive bias cannot be judged from only one perspective. To this end, there are several types of cognitive biases. Some of the types of cognitive baises that are described in literature includes confirmation bias, which deals with people, agreeing only with people who sigh with them in reasoning. In-group bias touches on the manifestation of people’s tribalistic tendencies (quote). Gambler’s fallacy deals with the attention we give to events with past antecedents, thinking the results in the past will be replicated in the future. Post-purchase rationalization on the other hand has to do with the realization of our mistakes only after we have made them. Neglecting probability, touches on the neglect we give possibilities of certain events happening just because we weigh the effects of those events as being minor. Observational selection bias deals with the tendency of noticing something that was neglected earlier and still believing that the frequency of it has increased, resulting in the latter notice. Status-quo bias, deals with our resistance to change. Negativity bias touches on the massive attention that people give to negative news. Bandwagon effect deals with our love for where the larger crowd is found. Projection bias, deals with the presumption that all other people think just like the way we do. The current moment bias deals with resistance to projected future changes. Finally, anchoring effect touches on the comparison and contraction of only a limited set of objectives (quote). In all the forms as stated above, there are three major categorizations that are given to the types of cognitive bias as decision-making, belief and behavioral biases, social biases and memory errors and biases. Cognitive bias in the statement In the statement given on bullying in school, the cognitive bias that is seen could be related to gambler’s effect, whereby the speaker has a perception that the negative influences of his past may have an impact on his present and for that matter his future. The speaker is also anchoring highly on past events and basing that to self glorify himself as someone who ever went off the status-quo but that it was those around him that did. Impact of bias on the research process Research design Bias may affect research design in such a way that the researcher may be tempted to select a design that would allow him the room to manipulating possible data to be collected from the respondents. Commonly, researchers who want to do this will use a focused group or purposive sampling method instead of a research design that allows for a wide sample size and the use of random sampling techniques. To overcome the impact of bias on research design, survey and case study, which allows for random selection of participants is always recommended (quote). Formulation of hypothesis The formulation of hypothesis has been criticized as the worse area of research process where most researchers are tempted to be bias. This is because in most cases, the hypotheses are formed ahead of any data collection exercise and so instead of being broad and objective in their formation, researchers tend to be individualistic and form hypothesis that are suitable to their personal judgments. As a way of overcoming the threat of bias in formulation of hypothesis, the use of quantitative hypothesis, which can easily be subjected to empirical scrutiny, is recommended. Data collection When random sampling is used, internal validity is guaranteed because the researcher is not given the chance to be preferential in the selection of the sample size (quote). Once internal validity of any form is guaranteed, there is the likelihood that bias will be overcome because the researcher would not be given a subjective role in the collection of data. Data analysis Again, the data analysis stage has been criticized as a potential aspect of the research that could come with so much bias if not controlled. As a way of minimizing this, the most preferred step to take is to use pre-designed software for both qualitative and quantitative analysis, which ensures that the researcher is not given any subjective role to perform in the analysis of data. Drawing conclusions To avoid the temptation of drawing biased and subjective conclusions, it is always recommended that the conclusions will not be qualitative in its construction but that it will be based on the findings of the study. Once internal validity is ensured in the data collection and data analysis processes, the results can be trusted to be free from all forms of bias and so basing the conclusions on the findings will be a means of achieving objectivity. Task 2 Social Desirability Bias in Research When respondents over report social desirable traits under report undesirable traits. In this type of bias, respondents’ answers tend to be guided by what society views as good or bad Social desirability … …. Reflects the tendency on the part of respondents to refuse socially unwanted qualities and to claim socially desirable ones, and the probability to say things which present the speaker, or respondent, in a complimentary light (Nederhoff, 1985) Self-deception and “other” deception Self-deception is when the respondent truly believes a statement to be true of him/herself, even through it is inaccurate. How do you deal with it? Other deception has to do with the tendency for a person to willingly misrepresent the truth as a part of impression management. Task suggestion: Introduction/definition/types of sdb (150 words) In most forms of research designs, researchers are accustomed to involve respondents who are expected to contribute to the researcher through the collection of data. During the data collection stage of the research, a researcher may either ask respondents questions through an interview or by use of a questionnaire. In either case, social desirability bias may manifest its self when respondents decide to base their responses on the collective ideologies of society rather than on their subjective reasoning. This is why Nederhoff (1985) explains that social desirability bias “reflects the tendency on the part of respondents to refuse socially unwanted qualities and to claim socially desirable ones.” Consequently, instead of applying his or her own reasoning, the respondent displays a “probability to say things which present the speaker, or respondent, in a complimentary light.” (Nederhoff, 1985). It has been said that social desirability bias may either come in the form of over reporting a situation perceived to be good or under reporting a situation that is perceived to be bad (quote). Schools of thought on social desirability bias (300 words) There are a number of schools of thought on social desirability bias. In fact, there are those who tend to believe that much of the factors or reasons that bring about social desirability bias in research could be blamed on the researcher while others believe that the respondent is always at the center of blame for exercising desirability. According to the former, when researchers create a room that puts the respondent at much rest and peace that his or her responses are not meant for any personalized purposes, the respondent would not be bordered on whether or not his or her answers are socially perceived as negative. Again, the means and strategies by which respondents use in asking questions could be factors as researchers who pose their social orientation questions in indirect and non-suspecting forms are more likely to get respondents giving out the true responses without the respondents thinking of the need to be economical with the truth. On the other hand, there are those who argue that the researcher cannot be blamed for social desirability bias resulting from respondents’ refusal to produce accurate results (quote). A major point that is used to support this line of argument is that the society is always perceived respondents to be a more accurate and perfect phenomenon, whose accepted systems must be adhered to without compromise. To this end, when people are asked questions that has to do with their sexuality, personality, drug use or abilities, they are more likely to be biased in their responses as a way of being perceived to be conforming to the social standards and status-quo. Again, these people argue that the researcher cannot take blame because bias of any form is a natural part of people, the social desirability dimension of which becomes so commanding on people that even when they are left to answer anonymous questions, they would feel satisfied to be biased in their responses in a manner that meets the social standard. Ethical implications of social desirability bias. There are several ethical implications of social desirability bias on research process. First, it calls for the need for researchers to be as frank and open to respondents as possible when it comes to explaining the goals of the research to them. This is because when respondents are assured that the aim of the research is not to personally attack their personalities but to draw generalized conclusions, they would have no reason to be biased in their responses (quote). Again, issues of anonymity and confidentiality must be assured so that respondents can be convinced that their responses will not at the mercy of the general public in the long run. Application of social desirability bias to question In the topic or question given on charity activities by part-time post graduate masters students, there are several instances and basis of the question that could account for social desirability bias. In the first place, charity or donation has been seen by society as an act that is positive and commendable. In effect, any person who is involeved in this will always be proud to show this off or talk of it. In terms of data collection therefore, there is the tendency that respondents will be baised in their responses in a manner that will be more suitable to the social standards on charity. That is, those who are not involved may claim to be involved whiles those who are involved may be over emphatic on their responses. Research instrument design, data collection, data analysis, drawing inferences conclusions ..etc In terms of research design and data collection, the use of primary data collection that makes use of interview is deemed to be more appropriate in overcoming social desirability bias. This is because with an interview for instance, the researcher can use the strategy of asking follow up questions and indirect questions to determine the authenticity or other wise of responses that are produced (quote). This is normally absent when a questionnaire is used. In the course data analysis, any of the Standard measures of analyzing data is also preferred to qualitative analysis by the researcher. In drawing inferences and conclusions also, the researcher must be clear on the possible margin of errors and make this clearly stated in the study. Read More