A researcher conducts a case-control study to assess the association between pesticide exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Cases recall their past exposure more vividly due to their diagnosis. This is an example of which type of bias?
- A Recall bias ✓
- B Berkson's bias
- C Interviewer bias
- D Hawthorne effect
Correct answer: A. Recall bias
Explanation
Recall bias occurs when cases, aware of their disease, selectively remember or overreport past exposures compared to controls, leading to spurious associations. This is a major limitation of retrospective case-control studies. Berkson's bias involves hospital-based selection of cases and controls. Interviewer bias involves differential probing by the researcher, not differential memory by subjects.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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