Which statement best describes confirmation bias in data collection?

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Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes confirmation bias in data collection?

Confirmation bias shows up when researchers’ preconceptions shape what data they collect. If they expect a certain result, they may seek sources that support that view, choose measurements or sampling methods that are more likely to produce confirmatory results, and interpret ambiguous data in a way that reinforces their beliefs. This bias in data collection can skew findings because the process itself is influenced by what the researchers expect to find, rather than by objective inquiry. If data sources were randomly selected, bias would be reduced rather than introduced. Saying analysis results are always objective ignores the possibility that bias can creep in during how data are collected and measured, and claiming data are always unbiased contradicts the reality of how expectations can shape data gathering.

Confirmation bias shows up when researchers’ preconceptions shape what data they collect. If they expect a certain result, they may seek sources that support that view, choose measurements or sampling methods that are more likely to produce confirmatory results, and interpret ambiguous data in a way that reinforces their beliefs. This bias in data collection can skew findings because the process itself is influenced by what the researchers expect to find, rather than by objective inquiry.

If data sources were randomly selected, bias would be reduced rather than introduced. Saying analysis results are always objective ignores the possibility that bias can creep in during how data are collected and measured, and claiming data are always unbiased contradicts the reality of how expectations can shape data gathering.

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