White hat bias
White hat bias
White hat bias (IPA: /waɪt hæt baɪəs/) is a term used in scientific research and medical literature to describe the distortion of information in the service of what may be perceived to be righteous ends.
Etymology
The term "white hat" is derived from the Western genre of films, where heroes often wore white hats, symbolizing their righteousness and purity of intent. The term "bias" comes from the Old French biais, meaning "slant, slope, oblique".
Definition
White hat bias refers to the tendency of researchers, reviewers, and editors to overemphasize, exaggerate, or even fabricate positive results, while underreporting, downplaying, or ignoring negative results. This bias is often driven by a belief that the ends justify the means, and that it is acceptable to distort the truth in the service of a greater good.
Related Terms
- Confirmation bias: The tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses.
- Publication bias: The tendency for researchers, editors, and pharmaceutical companies to handle the reporting of experimental results that are positive (i.e., showing a significant finding) differently from results that are negative (i.e., supporting the null hypothesis) or inconclusive.
- Observer-expectancy effect: A form of reactivity in which a researcher's cognitive bias causes them to unconsciously influence the participants of an experiment.
Impact
White hat bias can have serious implications for evidence-based medicine, as it can lead to the overestimation of the effectiveness of interventions and the underestimation of their potential harms. This can result in misguided public health policies, wasted resources, and potential harm to patients.
Prevention
Preventing white hat bias requires a commitment to scientific integrity and transparency. This includes rigorous study design, comprehensive reporting of all results (both positive and negative), and critical appraisal of the literature.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on White hat bias
- Wikipedia's article - White hat bias
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