A research team from the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), is examining how Common Method Bias (CMB) affects findings in survey research. CMB refers to bias that arises when the same measurement approach is used for multiple constructs at the same time, for example, administering many questions to the same respondents, at the same time and place, using the same form. As a result, correlations between concepts can appear higher than they truly are, with part of the “high” value coming from the measurement method rather than the actual phenomenon. Internationally, many journals now require authors to demonstrate efforts to reduce CMB. In Indonesia, however, reporting and mitigation of CMB are still uncommon, highlighting the need for trusted guidance.
This study is led by Dr. Ridwan Saptoto, S.Psi., M.A., Psikolog, with a cross-KBK team comprising Ardian Rahman Afandi, S.Psi., M.Psi., Psikolog (KBK PIO), Wulan Nur Jatmika, S.Psi., M.Sc., (KBK Clinical), and early-career collaborators Faiqal Dima Hanif, S.Psi., and Jane Giselle Stephany Simanjuntak. The team will conduct a scoping review, an extensive and structured literature assessment, to map the latest arguments on CMB and synthesize practical ways to address it, thereby promoting more accurate research practices and stronger methodology learning in Indonesia. The scoping review is designed using PRISMA to ensure systematic and transparent search and selection processes. The PCC framework (Population–Concept–Context) is applied to keep the review’s focus on the target. Through this approach, the researchers will map the most recent issues on CMB, how to identify and control them, and the most commonly chosen approach by researchers to mitigate the impact of CMB in their study.
frequent sources of CMB: measuring multiple variables on the same respondents (common rater effect), item characteristics that induce patterned responses (e.g., ambiguity or social desirability), and uniform measurement contexts (same time, place, and medium). When these factors co-occur, the likelihood of bias increases through inflated correlations and effect sizes.
Evidence indicates that CMB is not a trivial issue to be ignored, but a substantive factor that affects the trustworthiness of research conclusions. CMB can make results look more convincing than they should be. This risks misleading decision-making, for instance, when designing intervention programs or policies. In line with global editorial trends, studies relying on single-source data without adequate CMB controls are increasingly asked to conduct additional checks or redesign their methods. In the Indonesian context, strengthening methodological literacy around CMB is essential so that researchers, educators, and students can meet standards expected by the international scholarly community.
The project targets deliverables in the form of a manuscript for an Indonesian journal and a popular article for the Faculty of Psychology UGM website to broaden its reach. Funding comes from the 2025 Basic Research Grant of the Faculty of Psychology UGM, supporting research tools, writing workshops, and collaboration across KBKs, as well as the involvement of students and alumni. By mapping the evidence and practical solutions, the UGM Psychology team seeks to foster a research ecosystem that is more accurate, transparent, and competitive. Addressing CMB is not merely about meeting methodological requirements; it is a commitment to ensuring that findings reflect reality as faithfully as possible, so they can be relied upon to improve education quality, psychological practice, and data-driven decision-making in Indonesia.
Writer: Raden Roro Anisa Anggi Dinda