Social desirability bias in qualitative health research
ABSTRACT The objective of this essay is to discuss the social desirability bias in qualitative health research. The social desirability bias consists of a systematic research error, in which the participant presents answers that are more socially acceptable than their true opinions or behaviors. Qua...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Universidade de São Paulo
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Revista de Saúde Pública |
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-89102022000100282&tlng=en |
| _version_ | 1811178229060337664 |
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| author | José Patrício Bispo Júnior |
| author_facet | José Patrício Bispo Júnior |
| author_sort | José Patrício Bispo Júnior |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT The objective of this essay is to discuss the social desirability bias in qualitative health research. The social desirability bias consists of a systematic research error, in which the participant presents answers that are more socially acceptable than their true opinions or behaviors. Qualitative studies are very susceptible to this type of bias, which can lead to distorted conclusions about the studied phenomenon. Initially, I present the theoretical-conceptual aspects of the social desirability bias. I discuss how its occurrence can be intentional or unintentional, with a distinction between the concepts of self-deception and impression management. Then, I discuss the determining factors of this bias from four dimensions: study design; study context; interviewee's characteristic; interviewer's posture. Finally, I present a systematization of six strategies to be used by qualitative researchers for identifying and controlling social desirability bias. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T06:16:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-312e0daa681442de88796c189d628af4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1518-8787 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T06:16:09Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Universidade de São Paulo |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Revista de Saúde Pública |
| spelling | doaj.art-312e0daa681442de88796c189d628af42022-12-22T04:41:03ZengUniversidade de São PauloRevista de Saúde Pública1518-87872022-12-015610.11606/s1518-8787.2022056004164Social desirability bias in qualitative health researchJosé Patrício Bispo Júniorhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4155-9612ABSTRACT The objective of this essay is to discuss the social desirability bias in qualitative health research. The social desirability bias consists of a systematic research error, in which the participant presents answers that are more socially acceptable than their true opinions or behaviors. Qualitative studies are very susceptible to this type of bias, which can lead to distorted conclusions about the studied phenomenon. Initially, I present the theoretical-conceptual aspects of the social desirability bias. I discuss how its occurrence can be intentional or unintentional, with a distinction between the concepts of self-deception and impression management. Then, I discuss the determining factors of this bias from four dimensions: study design; study context; interviewee's characteristic; interviewer's posture. Finally, I present a systematization of six strategies to be used by qualitative researchers for identifying and controlling social desirability bias.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-89102022000100282&tlng=enQualitative ResearchBiasSocial DesirabilityMethodologyPublic Health Systems Research |
| spellingShingle | José Patrício Bispo Júnior Social desirability bias in qualitative health research Revista de Saúde Pública Qualitative Research Bias Social Desirability Methodology Public Health Systems Research |
| title | Social desirability bias in qualitative health research |
| title_full | Social desirability bias in qualitative health research |
| title_fullStr | Social desirability bias in qualitative health research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Social desirability bias in qualitative health research |
| title_short | Social desirability bias in qualitative health research |
| title_sort | social desirability bias in qualitative health research |
| topic | Qualitative Research Bias Social Desirability Methodology Public Health Systems Research |
| url | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-89102022000100282&tlng=en |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT josepatriciobispojunior socialdesirabilitybiasinqualitativehealthresearch |