Systematic bias

WikiDoc Resources for Systematic bias
Articles
Most recent articles on Systematic bias Most cited articles on Systematic bias Review articles on Systematic bias Articles on Systematic bias in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Systematic bias Images of Systematic bias Photos of Systematic bias Podcasts & MP3s on Systematic bias Videos on Systematic bias
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Systematic bias Bandolier on Systematic bias TRIP on Systematic bias
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Systematic bias at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Systematic bias Clinical Trials on Systematic bias at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Systematic bias NICE Guidance on Systematic bias NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Systematic bias CDC on Systematic bias
Books
Books on Systematic bias
News
Systematic bias in the news Be alerted to news on Systematic bias News trends on Systematic bias
Commentary
Blogs on Systematic bias
Definitions
Definitions of Systematic bias
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Systematic bias Discussion groups on Systematic bias Patient Handouts on Systematic bias Directions to Hospitals Treating Systematic bias Risk calculators and risk factors for Systematic bias
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Systematic bias Causes & Risk Factors for Systematic bias Diagnostic studies for Systematic bias Treatment of Systematic bias
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Systematic bias
International
Systematic bias en Espanol Systematic bias en Francais
Business
Systematic bias in the Marketplace Patents on Systematic bias
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Systematic bias

In metrology, dynamical systems theory, computational mechanics, and statistics, a systematic bias is a bias of a measurement system or estimate method, which leads to systematic errors, namely produces readings or results which are consistently too high or too low, relative to a given actual value of the measured or estimated variable.

It is often used in exactly the same manner as the term systemic bias, though systematic is the older and more common form. Note, however, that while the word "systemic" in "systemic bias" means "caused by the system", the word "systematic" in "systematic error" merely means that the errors in question have a certain statistical tendency.

Systematic vs. random

An example of systematic bias would be the bias of a thermometer that always reads three degrees colder than the actual temperature because of an incorrect initial calibration or labelling, whereas one that gave random values within five degrees either side of the actual temperature would be considered a random error.

Once detected and quantified, it may be easy to compensate for a systematic bias. In the example just given, one knows that the thermometer always reads three degrees below the correct value. Thus, one can simply make a systematic correction by adding three degrees to all readings. In other cases, while a systematic bias is suspected or even detected, no simple correction may be possible because it can be impossible to quantify the error. Random errors can in some cases be reduced by repeating the experiment several times and considering an average result; in other cases repetition is not possible.

The existence and causes of systematic bias may be difficult to detect without an independent source of information; the phenomenon of scattered readings resulting from random error calls more attention to itself from repeated estimates of the same quantity than the mutually consistent incorrect results of a biased system.

The term systematic (or systemic) bias is sometimes be used to imply planned human agency. Systematic bias therefore can also mean that the system produces bias as a consequence of consistent, deliberate and planned human interference.

See also

• Bias
• Experimenter's bias
• Statistical bias
• Estimator bias
• Systematic error