Sebastián León-Giraldo

This paper, «Addressing Recall Bias in (Post-) Conflict Data Collection and Analysis: Lessons from a Large-Scale Health Survey in Colombia,» explores the methodological challenges of conducting health research in post-conflict settings, particularly the issue of recall bias. It focuses on a large-scale health survey conducted in Colombia, where participants were asked to recall past health status and experiences during the conflict. The study critically examines the accuracy and reliability of recall data in these contexts and presents innovative strategies that were implemented to minimize bias. These include the use of detailed timelines, cross-verifying data with multiple sources, and training interviewers in sensitivity and awareness of the conflict’s psychological impact.

The findings from this research provide crucial insights into the complexities of data collection in post-conflict environments and suggest practical approaches for improving data reliability. The paper highlights the importance of considering the socio-cultural context when designing surveys and recommends specific methodologies to address potential biases that can distort research outcomes. By detailing these methodological refinements and their implications for health research, the study contributes to a better understanding of how to effectively gather and analyze data in settings affected by conflict, ultimately leading to more accurate health assessments and informed policy-making.