Bias in Clinical Research: A Review Article

Bias refers to any systematic deviation in the process of collecting, analyzing, interpreting, publishing, or reviewing data that can result in results that are consistently different from the actual truth.The concept of bias has traditionally been linked to three primary interpretations: a) Prejudice of the observer (including the impact of a theory on observation) b) Bias as a systematic error of an instrument c) Bias as a result of an incorrect study design.Biases, whether acquired consciously or absorbed from cultural surroundings, have been inherent in historical research since the early origins of the field.In our review, we have elucidated the several forms of bias that can arise in epidemiological studies and have also outlined strategies to mitigate its impact.Additional research is necessary to elucidate the phenomenon of bias in research.Bias is a process at any state of inference tending to produce results that depart systematically from the true value (Fletcher et al, 1988) [5].