a. A financial dimension must be present in order for it to be a conflict of interest.
b. Conflicts of interest increase the likelihood of bias.
c. A project must be funded by an external source in order for any conflicts of interest to be present.
d. Researchers are not permitted to have any conflicts of interest.
Answer:- The right answer is option b. Conflicts of interest increase the likelihood of bias.
Explanation:
Conflicts of interest increase the likelihood of bias, which is true about conflicts of interest.
Conflicts of interest occur when an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests, and serving one interest may affect their ability to serve another. While conflicts of interest often have a financial dimension, they can also arise from non-financial interests, such as personal relationships or professional aspirations.
Conflicts of interest increase the likelihood of bias because they can create incentives or pressures that influence decision-making or actions. When a conflict of interest is present, individuals may consciously or unconsciously prioritize their interests over others, potentially compromising the integrity or objectivity of their decisions or actions.
Option a, a financial dimension must be present in order for it to be a conflict of interest, is incorrect because conflicts of interest can also arise from non-financial interests.
Option c, a project must be funded by an external source in order for any conflicts of interest to be present, is incorrect because conflicts of interest can arise in any situation where an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests.
Option d, researchers are not permitted to have any conflicts of interest, is incorrect because it is not realistic to expect that researchers will never have any conflicts of interest. However, it is important for researchers to disclose any conflicts of interest and take steps to manage or mitigate them to avoid compromising the integrity of their research.