Selection Bias

Selection Bias occurs when a sample is not random in some way that has important consequences for the inference you want to draw from your sample. Marginal Revolution points to another study which tries to identify which types of people self select out of experiments.

Students were significantly less likely to participate if peers nominated them as being higher on narcissism or non-assertiveness. Results suggest it may be more difficult to obtain sufficient numbers of people high in narcissistic traits than individuals with other personality traits.

And who is more likely to participate?

There was a significantly higher probability of participation if peers nominated someone as having more histrionic, obsessive–compulsive,self-sacrificing, and intrusive/needy characteristics.

Keywords: Selection Bias, ECO307