Definition

1. Noun:
   • A systematic error in research: "Experimenter bias" refers to a type of bias in scientific or psychological research where the experimenter's own expectations, beliefs, or desires about the study's outcome unconsciously influence the participants' behavior or the interpretation of the results.
   • Subtle communication of expectations: This bias occurs when an experimenter subtly communicates anticipated results to the subjects, often through nonverbal cues, tone of voice, or differential treatment, thereby jeopardizing the objectivity of the experiment.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The study's validity was questioned due to potential experimenter bias.
  • Researchers use double-blind procedures to minimize experimenter bias.
  • Even with the best intentions, experimenter bias can skew the data.

Advanced Usage

• "to control for experimenter bias": to use methodological safeguards to prevent this bias.
  • The protocol was designed to control for experimenter bias by keeping the test administrators unaware of the hypothesis.
• "a source of experimenter bias": a factor that introduces this bias.
  • The researcher's known hypothesis was a significant source of experimenter bias.

Variants and Related Words

• Experimenter effect (n): A broader term often used synonymously with "experimenter bias," referring to any influence the experimenter has on the results.
• Observer bias (n): A related bias where the researcher's expectations affect their observation and recording of data.

Synonyms

• Research bias: A general term for systematic errors in research.
• Investigator bias: Bias introduced by the person conducting the investigation.

Related Phrases

• To introduce bias: To cause a systematic error.
  • Failing to standardize instructions can introduce bias into an experiment.
• To be susceptible to bias: To be vulnerable to being influenced.
  • Single-blind studies are more susceptible to bias than double-blind ones.

Noun

1. (psychology) bias introduced by an experimenter whose expectations about the outcome of the experiment can be subtly communicated to the participants in the experiment