Which approach decreases recall bias when following participants after exposure?

• A. Increase Recall Interval
• B. Shorten The Length Of Time Between Exposure And Follow-Up
• C. Delay Follow-Up Until After Data Analysis
• D. Use Only Anonymous Surveys

Answer: (B)

Recall bias occurs when participants’ memories of past exposure are imperfect, and the longer the time since exposure, the more memory fades or is reconstructed, leading to misclassification. Shortening the interval between exposure and follow-up keeps information fresh, so exposures are recalled more accurately and the data better reflect what actually happened. If you lengthen the recall period, errors accumulate and the association you observe becomes biased. Delaying follow-up until after data analysis doesn’t fix memory problems and can introduce other issues, while anonymous surveys mainly address social desirability bias rather than the accuracy of recalled exposure.