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Bias MeSH Descriptor Data 2026


MeSH Heading
Bias
Tree Number(s)
N05.715.350.150
N06.850.490.500
Unique ID
D015982
RDF Unique Identifier
http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D015982
Annotation
IM general only; coordinate NIM with disease /‌epidemiol, not /‌etiol; add geographic term if pertinent; do not use for "bias" as prejudice or subjectivity (= PREJUDICE or specifics)
Scope Note
Any deviation of results or inferences from the truth, or processes leading to such deviation. Bias can result from several sources: one-sided or systematic variations in measurement from the true value (systematic error); flaws in study design; deviation of inferences, interpretations, or analyses based on flawed data or data collection; etc. There is no sense of prejudice or subjectivity implied in the assessment of bias under these conditions.
Entry Term(s)
Aggregation Bias
Bias, Aggregation
Bias, Ecological
Bias, Epidemiologic
Bias, Statistical
Bias, Systematic
Biases
Biases, Ecological
Biases, Statistical
Ecological Bias
Ecological Biases
Ecological Fallacies
Ecological Fallacy
Epidemiologic Biases
Experimental Bias
Fallacies, Ecological
Fallacy, Ecological
Outcome Measurement Errors
Scientific Bias
Statistical Bias
Statistical Biases
Systematic Bias
Truncation Bias
Truncation Biases
Previous Indexing
Epidemiologic Methods (1966-1989)
Research Design (1972-1989)
Risk (1966-1989)
Public MeSH Note
2018; was Research 1987-1989
Online Note
use RESEARCH to search BIAS (EPIDEMIOLOGY) 1987-89
History Note
2018(1990); use Research 1987-1989
Date Introduced
1990/01/01
Last Updated
2019/07/01

No Qualifiers
Bias Preferred
Ecological Bias Narrower
Systematic Bias Narrower
Outcome Measurement Errors Narrower
Truncation Biases Narrower
Biases, Statistical Narrower
Scientific Bias Broader
Bias, Aggregation Narrower
Experimental Bias Broader
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