Epidemiology: non-response bias: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Epidemiology: non-response bias

Sample item

A household survey on tobacco use in a district achieves a response of only 55 percent. The non-respondents are mostly young men away at work, who smoke more than the people interviewed, so the prevalence estimate is too low. Which bias is this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Non-response bias

Non-response bias occurs when people who do not take part differ systematically from those who do, so the sample no longer represents the population. It can be reduced by repeat visits, substitution rules and weighting.

Option by option

  • A. Interviewer bias

    Interviewer bias arises from how the interviewer asks or records answers, which is not described.

  • B. Non-response bias (correct)

    Correct. Respondents and non-respondents differ in smoking, so the sample estimate is biased.

  • C. Recall bias

    Recall bias arises from differences in remembering past exposures between groups.

  • D. Misclassification bias

    Misclassification bias arises from wrongly labelling exposure or disease status in those who are studied.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Non-response bias. Non-response bias occurs when people who do not take part differ systematically from those who do, so the sample no longer represents the population.

Why is "Interviewer bias" not the answer?

Interviewer bias arises from how the interviewer asks or records answers, which is not described.

Why is "Recall bias" not the answer?

Recall bias arises from differences in remembering past exposures between groups.

Why is "Misclassification bias" not the answer?

Misclassification bias arises from wrongly labelling exposure or disease status in those who are studied.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Epidemiology: non-response bias in PSM. It can be reduced by repeat visits, substitution rules and weighting.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Epidemiology: non-response bias?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.