UNKNOWN AUTHOR BIAS:
A bias that occurs when one overemphasizes the weakness of study, and/or discredits/undervalues the results because they have not heard of the author(s)1.
Unknown Author Bias may occur if the appraiser of the study is not well-read, and/or unskilled at critical appraisal of scientific work. An unknown author may be highly skilled but unknown because they are young, new to research, and/or from a different country or scientific discipline from the appraiser. Unknown Author Bias is a specific type of Interpretive Bias, and is similar to Unknown Person or Institution Bias. Also see: Interpretive Bias, Unknown Person or Institution Bias, Famous Person or Institution Bias, Prestige Bias, and Prominent Author Bias.
Reference:
1. Earl-Slater A. The Handbook of Clinical Trials and Other Research. Abingdon: Radcliffe Medical Press Ltd. 2002. (Link to Reference)