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After watching this tutorial you'll be able to define and identify bias in
your information sources.
Frankenstein's in college
and he has to write a research paper for an English class.
His topic is
video gaming.
According to the assignment,
Frankenstein needs to find six reliable sources and must identify all evidence
of bias in each source.
Okay Frankenstein,
What do you know so far?
Reliable sources...
Good!
Bias...
Bad.
Well, that's a start.
But bias isn't really as simple as that Frankenstein.
So what is bias? The dictionary tells us that bias is: non-objectivity,
one-sidedness, ... a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment...
prejudice or inclination for or against something.
Does that help?
Bias... Bad?
Bias in source material isn't necessarily bad.
But you need to be able to recognize it.
Bias can be hard to see,
because bias is all around us.
Bias?
Bias?
Where bias?
Sometimes noticing bias is easy.
Some sources present explicit viewpoints.
Look deeper into sources like that to see if their viewpoints are supported
with credible research and data.
Some sources might provide information that is emotionally charged
and clearly shows the author's views.
Or,
are they using emotion to persuade or sell you something?
An author's opinion can clearly reveal bias...
Look for first-person sentences like
"I think..."
or "I believe..."
Often bias is not so obvious.
Take a look at this organization's mission.
The International Game Developers Association
serves individuals that create video games.
Is there bias here Frankenstein?
Game
developer
like
video game?
Yes!
That's the bias!
Often, though, bias is not so obvious.
Most bias is subtle and will take some critical thinking to identify.
Look behind what seems obvious.
Subtle.
Here's a tip:
learned about the author of your source.
An author may not be explicit or open about her views.
Do a little bit of research.
By researching the author,
you might discover their reason or intent in creating the information.
A little research will help you see possible bias.
You can also search for information about a source's publisher.
Publishers can be biased too.
Okay Frankenstein, time for more critical thinking.
Recognizing bias in sources is part of the job of research.
Just as you would look for a source's title to determine relevance, and date to
determine currency,
you should also think about its bias.
Is your source a research study?
Well, how was the research funded?
Sometimes, scholarly articles are paid for by organizations with a strong
interest in the outcome,
like pharmaceutical companies funding medical studies.
For example,
do you think an aspirin manufacturer might want to pay for a research project that
shows the benefits of taking aspirin?
Check the end of scholarly articles to see if the author(s) talk about funding in an
"acknowledgment" section.
They may even reveal conflicts of interest.
Scholarly journal articles are often reviewed by experts.
It's called "peer review."
Articles are carefully analyzed for accuracy.
Those sources tend to be less biased.
In the largest sense,
just about all the sources of information we create are biased,
probably because everyone has an opinion on what is good or bad. Take a look at
this advertisement for some nutritious food...
worms!
No! No! Worms
bad!
But look Frankenstein,
those blood worms are food...
for fish!
Is that bad?
Ah!
Now worms
not
bad.
Frankenstein understand.
Bias in me!
Bias! Bias! Bias everywhere!
As good researcher, Frankenstein needs to identify bias
to know how to use
information
in paper. Yes!
Alive!
It's alive! It's alive!
In researching your papers,
and in your everyday life,
always be on the lookout for bias.
Develop a critical eye so you are well-informed.
Um... Me think:
Do my sources back up their viewpoints with credible research and data?
Who is the author?
Who is the publisher?
What is the organization or web site's purpose or mission?
How was the research funded?
Look for an "acknowledgments" section!
Is the article peer reviewed?
Frankenstein,
You have done so well!
Here is your golden crown
and an A+ too!
Heh, heh... Friend...
Good!