Social desirability bias in qualitative health research

The objective of this essay is to discuss the social desirability bias in qualitative health research. The social desirability bias consists of a systematic research error, in which the participant presents answers that are more socially acceptable than their true opinions or behaviors. Qualitative...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista de saúde pública Vol. 56; p. 101
Main Author: Bispo Júnior, José Patrício
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Portuguese
Published: Brazil Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo 01.01.2022
Universidade de São Paulo
Subjects:
Bias
Brazil
Humans
Methodology
Public Health Systems Research
PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Qualitative Research
Social Desirability
SOCIOLOGY
Brazil
Methodology
Viés
Bias
Pesquisa Qualitativa
Social Desirability
Desejabilidade Social
Metodologia
Qualitative Research
Pesquisa em Sistemas de Saúde Pública
Public Health Systems Research
ISSN:1518-8787, 1518-8787
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The objective of this essay is to discuss the social desirability bias in qualitative health research. The social desirability bias consists of a systematic research error, in which the participant presents answers that are more socially acceptable than their true opinions or behaviors. Qualitative studies are very susceptible to this type of bias, which can lead to distorted conclusions about the studied phenomenon. Initially, I present the theoretical-conceptual aspects of the social desirability bias. I discuss how its occurrence can be intentional or unintentional, with a distinction between the concepts of self-deception and impression management. Then, I discuss the determining factors of this bias from four dimensions: study design; study context; interviewee's characteristic; interviewer's posture. Finally, I present a systematization of six strategies to be used by qualitative researchers for identifying and controlling social desirability bias.
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ISSN:1518-8787
1518-8787
DOI:10.11606/s1518-8787.2022056004164