Understanding Bias in Research

Introduction
Even though we might strive to make accurate and informed decisions, sometimes
being biased is inevitable. This is because there are several factors that affect the way we
perceive things. They distort and limit our perception leading to bias. This is often referred to
as cognitive bias and it is human to have it. Our perception is influenced by several factors
that drive us to the judgments we make.This means that the judgments we make in day to day
lives are not always fair but affiliated or inclined towards a particular side(SILANI, G.,
Lamm, C., Ruff, C.C. and Singer, T., 2014, pp.76-80). Being bias means being inclined
towards something. This article explores some of the factors that limit and distort our
perception leading to bias. It also looks at the remedies that individuals and organizations can
use to avoid bias.
Factors that lead to bias
There are a number of factors that will actually distort and limit how we perceive
things and lead to bias. For instance, time will limit our perception. The time that a particular
thing occurs determines how we perceive it. If for example, a particular person speaks last in
a gathering our judgment is that the person is too prominent (SVENSSON, J., Mustafa, A.,
Fick, J., Schmitz, M. and Brunström, B., 2016, pp.44-50). Again, if a person is
engaged in an interview for a longer duration than others, we perceive that the person
particular person is great. Another factor that distorts our perception is past experience with
someone. If for example you had an encounter with a particular person and saw how they
behaved and how they presented themselves you get a positive attitude towards that person.
When at one time asked about who can do a particular thing efficiently you will definitely
mention that person as opposed to another person you’ve not met.
Attitude is another factor that actually distorts our perception. Attitude simply means
the state of mind. When we have a positive attitude towards a particular thing, we shall surely
be inclined towards that particular thing. For instance, if you have a positive attitude towards
strolling in the beaches and you are given options to a leisure activity you will definitely
choose strolling in the beaches. Motive also affects our perception. Motive means an emotion
that will make a particular person do something (ENOS, R.D. and Celaya, C., 2017,
pp.89-90). Sometimes our emotions influence how we make decisions. If for example, you
are judging a case between two people who were fighting and one of them is seriously hurt
you are likely to be inclined towards the one who is hurt. Your emotion and sympathy are

likely to make you lay hands on the one who is not hurt. Emotion makes you pity that
particular person and makes decisions that are inclined towards that particular person. This is
a good and solid evidence of the distortion of perception to make a biased judgment.
Interest is another factor that limits and distorts our perception. This is to mean that
you will always make decisions influenced by your passion. There is no way a particular
person will decide to do something that does not please his or her heart. For instance, if a
person prefers taking juice to porridge and is asked to suggest a drink after a lunch session is
likely to request juice rather than porridge. This is a decision influenced so much by interest
and passion.Again, if making choices for oneself; one is likely to be much influenced by his
interests which will hinder making accurate decisions. Another factor that will limit our
perception is our expectation (AGHA, R.A., 2017, pp.6-7). Expectation makes us make a
prior judgment about how a particular thing is likely to happen. How we make decisions is
influenced by what we expect from particular people. If for instance, we expect a particular
thing to happen in a particular manner, we shall make our decisions inclined to that
expectation. If for instance, a teacher expects a particular student to pass the exam; his
decision will be inclined towards that particular student and will always make affiliated
decisions.
Proximity is yet another factor that limits and distorts our perception. This means the
state of being near to a particular thing or person, whether in terms of space, time or
relationship. How much we are close to people affect our perception and judgment. For
example, we are likely to incline towards our family members when judging a case or
deciding the ratio of sharing capital (CHE-CASTALDO, C., Crisafulli, C.M., Bishop, J.G.
and Fagan, W.F., 2015, pp.104-108). It is not even strange to see managers hire their
family members to take top positions in organizations or promote them. We are also likely to
choose our relatives to be among the top position stakeholders in an organization. Similarity
also influences our decisions by limiting our perception to bring about bias. Similarity means
the relation of sharing properties with a particular person. It also won’t be strange to see a
person asked to choose workmate and choose a former schoolmate because he or she believes
that they have some common traits due to common training. In simple terms, our decisions
will always be inclined towards those who we share a commonality.
The background is another factor that influences our decisions and leads to bias
(DUCHÊNE, D. and Duchêne, S., 2016, pp.54-57). In this context, bias means ones’

social heritage. This means that one is likely to favor a person of their own social heritage as
opposed to those of another background. If for instance, a person hates a particular
background due to his or her well known reasons, he or she is likely to make judgments
against that background. For example, it is likely that an African judge in a European court
will make judgements inclined to an Africans. Another key factor that influences our decision
is sounds. The way a particular thing sounds will always influence the decision we make. For
example, we will always make judgments on the state of anger of a person depending on the
pitch of their voice. Again, if we are rating the danger of a scenario, we are likely to
determine the magnitude of the scream by the affected victim.
Strategies that individuals and organizations can undertake to avoid bias and perceptions
which are distorted.
It is important to know that even if there are factors that will influence how we
perceive things and lead us to bias, there are ways to overcome this bias. It is very imperative
to overcome bias so that we can make decisions that are not affiliated to a particular thing.
This is what is called uninfluenced judgment.Hanging out with people who have better
attitudes than can reduce our bias greatly(SCHMIDT, H.G., Mamede, S., Van den Berge,
K., van Gog, T., 2016, pp.34-40). If for example, you have a negative attitude about the
homeless, walking with a person who volunteers to work in the advantage of the homeless
will help you get a better attitude towards them. This way will help you reduce your
affiliation towards those who have homes. By so doing you will have avoided bias and you
will be capable of making fair judgments. Making friends and interacting with people who
you perceive as being different can also help you reduce bias. It is said that thoughts are
influenced by behavior. If for example you don’t like old people and you associate yourself
with them or people who like them you are likely to love them as time goes by.
Appreciating the fact that we are all humans and that our brains make mistakes can
help reduce bias. If for example, you become aware of the unconscious bias you will instantly
reduce the bias of generalization and stereotypes. It is important that we accept the fact that
as human beings we are at times biased based on generalization and work towards mitigating
it. Therefore, accepting this fact will slowly waft out this bias. Organizations also ought to
establish clear criteria before making decisions so that the bias can be taken out of the
decision-making process (GOODMAN, D.B., Church, G.M. and Kosuri, S., 2015, pp.56-