Table 5 The definition of potential biases as they affect pet ownership studies
From: Methods used to estimate the size of the owned cat and dog population: a systematic review
Type of bias | Definition |
|---|---|
Selection bias | Selection bias is a systematic error that occurs when the distribution of factors associated with pet ownership in the target population differs from those in the study population [58]. |
Non-response bias | Non-response bias is when the characteristics that are associated with pet ownership of respondents differ from the characteristics of those that did not respond [66]. |
Measurement bias | Measurement bias is caused by inaccurate responses to survey questions which can result in misclassification of pet owners [66]. |
Length of sampling bias | Biases introduced by length of sampling time are introduced by estimating point prevalence (number of owned pets) over a relatively long sampling time, or by using period prevalence (number of owned pets in a given time period) to estimate point prevalence [86]. |