Common method bias
Research Methods
Definition. Common method bias is variance attributable to the measurement method rather than to the constructs, which can inflate or deflate observed relationships.
Explanation
Podsakoff and colleagues reviewed sources such as single respondents and same-time measurement, and recommended procedural and statistical remedies (Podsakoff et al., 2003). It is a frequent concern in cross-sectional survey studies in health management.
Related concepts
Cross-sectional study Structural equation modeling (SEM) Validity
References
Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J.-Y., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879–903. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879
Cite this entry: Kurutkan, M. N. (2026). Common method bias. In The Health Topics glossary. https://healthtopic.org/glossary/common-method-bias/
Articles that discuss this concept
8 articles on The Health Topics mention this concept. Most relevant first.
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- The Multifaceted Nature of Validity in Research 1
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- Predicting Creativity Among Nurses with Machine Learning: An Ambitious Contribution with Important Lessons for Future Research 1
- Four Theories, One Question: What Really Drives Physician Performance in Digital Healthcare? 1
- Redundancy in Measurement Science: A Multilevel Guide for Researchers in the Health and Social Sciences 1
- The Spectrum of Personal Wellbeing: A Promising New Measure and the Research Questions It Leaves Open 1
- Who Should Run the Hospital? Eight Positions and What Sixty Years of Evidence Leaves Standing 1