Evaluating for credible, authoritative, reliable sources: Bias
"B" is for bias
Bias refers to a source's purpose and point of view.
Common pitfalls
Library databases:
The information is from an article in a library database. Therefore, the source must be objective!
Not so fast!
Library databases may include articles from newspapers and magazines, including opinion pieces and editorials that are written from authors' personal viewpoints.
Scratching beneath the surface:
You click on the "About" section of the source's web page where it describes itself as an "unbiased non-profit" think tank. That sounds good, but that is the source writing about itself.
It is best to see if you can find some information about the organization somewhere else--like another web site, or a magazine or newspaper article. Does the source claim to have won awards? Look into the award and check.
Additional sources
These open access materials go more in-depth into related issues, strategies, and importance of evaluating information and resources.
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"Evaluate: Assessing Your Research Process and Findings"This chapter was published in The Information Literacy User’s Guide: An Open, Online Textbook by Allison Hosier, et al, SUNY Albany, 2014. It includes sections on Distinguishing Between Information Resources, Choosing Materials, Identifying Key Points and Arguments, and Evaluating Resources in Practice.
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Chapter 06 - Web LiteracyThis chapter was published in The Research Process: Strategies for Undergraduate Students by Rebecca M. Marrall and Jenny K. Oleen, Western Washington University Libraries, 2016. In this chapter, you will be able to: Identify the concepts of web literacy; learn about Google and Wikipedia as research tools; and explore the Digital Divide phenomenon.
Questions to ask about the bias of a source
Ask yourself these questions when thinking about if a source is biased and if that bias affects its credibility:
- What is the purpose of the source? Does the source promote one point of view or one agenda?
- If the information is found online, does the Web site have advertisements? If so, are the ads a part of or separate from the rest of the site?
- Does the about section provide information about where the site gets its funding? See if you can follow the money!
How do I do this?
Your tasks:
- Read the "About" information
- Read any information about the site's funding
- See if you can find out what other sources have to say about the site
Remember the context!
Does it matter if the source is biased?
Does it matter if the source is biased?If you are writing a research paper about cancer treatments, you will most likely need balanced, objective information.
On the other hand...
... if you are writing an argumentative paper, you will need information about all points of view on a given topic. In this case, it's important that you recognize the bias, rather than avoid it.
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