Question

Determine whether the given source has the potential to create a bias in a statistical study: An article in Journal of Nutrition noted that chocolate is rich in flavonoids. The article reports that "regular consumption of foods rich in flavonoids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease." The study received funding from the candy company, and the Chocolate Manufacturers Association. Identify and explain at least one source of bias in the study describe. Then suggest how the bias might have been avoided?

Answer 1

Answer: The source has the potential to create bias because it was sponsored by companies that will benefit from it. This might have been avoided by stoping these companies from sponsoring the study.

Explanation:

A study is biased if its results or process is not objective, which means they have been influenced by a specific perspective or interest, and the results are inaccurate. One of the factors that causes bias is the participation of entities with economic interests in the study.

This occurs in the case described because a candy and a chocolate company sponsored the studies, and therefore results might be modified to benefit the companies. According to this, the study has the potential of being biased, and the main source is the fact it was sponsored by companies with interests.

Besides this, this can be avoided if the study does not accept sponsoring by companies with specific interests. In this way, the study will be objective, and the results will not be influenced, which means the information provided by the study would be accurate and credible.