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Infection and ResponseHigherbiasscientific reporting

AQA GCSE · Question 01.8 · Infection and Response

There are many online reports making claims about the effects of chemical A. Some of these reports are biased. Suggest one reason why a report making claims about the effects of chemical A may be biased.

How to approach this question

Think about what might motivate someone to present information in a way that isn't completely neutral. Consider financial or personal motivations.

Full Answer

The report may be biased because the author has a financial interest in the drug selling well, or they have a preconceived opinion.
A report can be biased if the author has a vested interest in the outcome. For example, if the report is funded by the company that produces and sells chemical A, they would have a financial incentive to only report positive results and downplay any negative side effects to encourage sales. Bias can also stem from personal beliefs, where the author may selectively present data that supports their pre-existing opinion about the chemical.

Common mistakes

✗ Saying "they are lying" without giving a reason for the bias. ✗ Confusing bias with a simple mistake or error in the data.

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