Arizona State University (ASU) PSY290 Research Methods Exam 1 Practice

Confirmation bias is a cognitive tendency that occurs when researchers favor information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses, which can significantly impact their interpretation of data. This type of bias can lead researchers to overlook, dismiss, or undervalue evidence that contradicts their expectations, thereby skewing their conclusions. For instance, if a researcher has a strong belief in a particular theory, they might focus on data that supports this theory while ignoring contrary data, ultimately leading to erroneous interpretations or conclusions.

This misinterpretation can occur at various stages of research, including during data collection, analysis, and when drawing conclusions. Because researchers may unintentionally seek out or highlight results that confirm their assumptions, it is critical for scientific integrity to remain aware of this bias and take steps to mitigate it.

Other biases, such as sampling, response, and reporting biases, can certainly influence research outcomes in different ways, but confirmation bias is particularly potent in affecting how data is interpreted, making it the accurate choice in this context.