Assessment of self-selection bias in a pediatric unilateral hearing loss study
Received 14 October 2009; received in revised form 16 November 2009; accepted 25 November 2009.
Abstract
Objective
To examine the differences between participants and nonparticipants in a study of children with unilateral hearing loss that might contribute to selection bias.
Study Design
Case-control study.
Setting
Academic pediatric otolaryngology practice.
Subjects and Methods
Comparison of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics between the 81 participants and 78 nonparticipants with unilateral hearing loss in a case-control study.
Results
Compared with nonparticipants, the study participants were younger but were diagnosed at an older age. Participants were more likely to have been diagnosed through a primary care screen and have normal ear anatomy, and less likely to have an attributed etiology for their unilateral hearing loss or tried assistive hearing devices. No other significant demographic, socioeconomic, or clinical differences were identified.
Conclusion
Self-selection bias may jeopardize both internal and external validity of study results and should be evaluated whenever possible. Methods to minimize self-selection bias should be considered and implemented during the planning stages of clinical studies.
aDepartment of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
bBobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Corresponding author: Judith E. C. Lieu, MD, Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8115, St. Louis, MO 63110
Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article.
ABSTRACT