What does "observer bias" refer to in research contexts?

Observer bias refers to the influence of a researcher's expectations or beliefs on their observations and interpretations of data collected during a study. When researchers hold certain expectations about the outcomes, they may unconsciously influence how they observe or record data, leading to distorted results. This type of bias can compromise the validity of the research findings because what is observed may reflect the researcher's preconceived notions rather than the actual behavior or phenomenon being studied.

For instance, if a researcher expects a certain outcome, they might pay more attention to data that supports their hypothesis while disregarding evidence that contradicts it. This can result in a skewed interpretation of the results, making it essential to recognize and mitigate observer bias to ensure that research conclusions are based on objective and accurate findings rather than subjective perceptions. This understanding highlights the importance of blinding procedures and standardized measurement techniques in research design.

The other choices highlight different types of biases or errors that can affect research quality, such as sampling errors or measurement inaccuracies, but they do not encapsulate the specific influence of a researcher's expectations as observer bias does.