Canadian Health Information Management Association Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Non-response bias occurs when the individuals who choose not to participate in a survey are systematically different in some way from those who do participate. This difference can affect the survey's overall results and conclusions. For example, if a survey is conducted about health behaviors and individuals with poor health are less likely to respond, the findings may reflect a more favorable view of health behaviors than what truly exists in the population. This can lead to inaccurate interpretations and decisions based on incomplete or skewed data.

In this context, the emphasis is on understanding that non-response bias directly impacts the validity of survey results by introducing a discrepancy between the surveyed population and the broader population from which they are drawn. Recognizing this bias is crucial in survey design and data analysis to ensure that findings accurately reflect the views and characteristics of the larger population.