Malmquist bias

noun

A type of selection bias, where brighter objects appear to be more common at further distances; caused by a larger actual sample gathering region per square degree at further distances, and that dimmer sources drop out of sight due to distance.

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Meanings

nounMalmquist bias (uncountable)
  1. uncountableA type of selection bias, where brighter objects appear to be more common at further distances; caused by a larger actual sample gathering region per square degree at further distances, and that dimmer sources drop out of sight due to distance.

Origin

Named after Swedish astronomer Gunnar Malmquist, who first described the effect in 1922.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish Malmquistin valintaharha
  • Malmquistin valintaharhaTranslations
French biais de Malmquist
  • biais de MalmquistTranslations
German Malmquist-Bias
  • Malmquist-BiasTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

Malmquist bias. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Malmquist%20bias

MLA

“Malmquist bias.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Malmquist%20bias. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Malmquist bias,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Malmquist%20bias.

Source: Malmquist bias on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.