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Recall bias - Definition and Overview |
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Taken generally, recall bias occurs when the way a survey respondent answers a question is affected not just by the correct answer, but also by the respondent's memory. [1] (http://web.cancernutritioninfo.com/glossary.cfm?id=21) [2] (http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/library/randrep/pesticides_survey/mr1018.12.appd.html) This can affect the results of the survey. As a hypothetical example, if a survey in 2005 asked respondents whether they believed O. J. Simpson had killed his wife. Respondents who believed him innocent would be more likely to have forgotten about the case, and therefore to state no opinion, than respondents who thought him guilty. If this is the case, then the survey would find a higher-than-accurate proportion of people who believe O.J. did kill his wife.
Relatedly but distinctly, the term might also be used to describe an instance where a survey respondent intentionally responds incorrectly to a question about the respondent's personal history. [3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion-Breast_Cancer_(ABC)_hypothesis#Recall_Bias) As a hypothetical example, if two groups of women are surveyed to determine if they had an abortion; it is possible that one group would be less likely to admit to having an abortion because of social (eg: religious) or personal reasons, skewing the survey results. This is a kind of response bias.
See also
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