Evaluating the impact of method bias in health behaviour research: A meta-analytic examination of studies utilising the theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour

Journal article


McDermott, Mairtin and Sharma, Rajeev. (2017). Evaluating the impact of method bias in health behaviour research: A meta-analytic examination of studies utilising the theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour. Health Psychology Review. 11(4), pp. 358 - 373. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2017.1339568
AuthorsMcDermott, Mairtin and Sharma, Rajeev
Abstract

The methods employed to measure behaviour in research testing the theories of reasoned action/planned behaviour (TRA/TPB) within the context of health behaviours have the potential to significantly bias findings. One bias yet to be examined in that literature is that due to common method variance (CMV). CMV introduces a variance in scores attributable to the method used to measure a construct, rather than the construct it represents. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of method bias on the associations of health behaviours with TRA/TPB variables. Data were sourced from four meta-analyses (177 studies). The method used to measure behaviour for each effect size was coded for susceptibility to bias. The moderating impact of method type was assessed using meta-regression. Method type significantly moderated the associations of intentions, attitudes and social norms with behaviour, but not that between perceived behavioural control and behaviour. The magnitude of the moderating effect of method type appeared consistent between cross-sectional and prospective studies, but varied across behaviours. The current findings strongly suggest that method bias significantly inflates associations in TRA/TPB research, and poses a potentially serious validity threat to the cumulative findings reported in that field.

KeywordsHealth behaviour; health behaviour theory; method bias; meta-regression
Year2017
JournalHealth Psychology Review
Journal citation11 (4), pp. 358 - 373
PublisherRoutledge
ISSN1743-7199
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2017.1339568
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85037820169
Page range358 - 373
Research GroupCentre for Health and Social Research
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
Place of publicationUnited Kingdom
EditorsM. S. Hagger
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