Definition Of Volunteer Bias

Psychology definition of volunteer bias.

Definition of volunteer bias. This lesson offers an overview of volunteer bias and why it must be acknowledged. Volunteer bias is an accepted source of error that can be found in research. Volunteer bias can occur at all stages of the trial from recruitment retention through to follow up. A problem in sex research caused by some people refusing to participate so that those who are in the sample are volunteers who may in some ways differ from those who refuse to participate.

Volunteer bias definition and meaning. Researchers and consumers of research must watch carefully for volunteer bias so that they are not drawing flawed conclusions that leave out the less empowered or motivated portions of the population. Volunteer bias is the idea that people who volunteer to participate in studies do not represent the general population. Any step by step variation between involved parties who volunteer to be in an analysis in contrast to those who don t.

For instance a researcher is conducting research on community attitudes towards some issue. Volunteer bias is the idea that volunteers for a study are atypical subjects because their self selection means they will probably be more highly motivated to perform well. Delamater in understanding human sexuality 1997. Volunteer bias is an important concept to understand for anyone who conducts or reads psychological research.