Positive-Findings Bias in QWL Studies: Rigor and Outcomes in a Large Sample

Abstract

This report seeks to determine whether the high success rates observed in a large survey of QWL evaluative studies (N = 231) can be substantially explained in terms of the lack of rigor of research methodology and design, as the literature critical of QWL often proposes. This studyfinds statistically significant support for a positive-findings bias hypothesis, but rigor explains less than 7% of the variance in outcomes. This implies only modest supportfor the position that attractive QWL results can be substantially accountedfor by a positive-findings bias.