Which of the following is a common form of bias researchers must be aware of?

Selection bias is a significant form of bias that researchers must be aware of because it occurs when the participants included in a study are not representative of the larger population intended to be analyzed. This can happen unintentionally due to the specific methods used to choose participants. For instance, if researchers only select individuals from a particular group or demographic, the results may not be applicable to the general population, leading to skewed findings and conclusions.

This bias can seriously affect the validity and reliability of research outcomes, as the selected sample may possess characteristics that influence the study's results, thus limiting the generalizability of the findings. Addressing selection bias is crucial in designing research studies and interpreting their results, ensuring that the insights drawn from the research are accurate and applicable to the broader population.