Week 3 Disc 2

Week 3 - Discussion Forum 2

· Read  How Confirmation Bias Works  (Links to an external site.) .

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-confirmation-bias-2795024

· Read  Section 2.1  of the textbook.

· Watch  Why You Think You're Right - Even If You're Wrong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4RLfVxTGH4&feature=youtu.be

· Describe a situation in which you or someone you know has demonstrated confirmation bias.

· Discuss two steps based on the assigned reading and video that could minimize the effect of bias in the situation you described.

· Explain why it is it important for scholars to be aware of confirmation bias during the research process. Include how this awareness is important to you as you seek information for your own research.

Your initial post should be a minimum of 150 words.

Review your classmates’ posts and respond to at least two of your peers. Each peer response should be a minimum of 50 words.

In your peer responses,

· Provide an alternative step to minimize bias that your peer could consider in relation to the situation shared.

· Address their thoughts about why it is important to be aware of confirmation bias during the research process.

Post 1

Class, 

Describe a situation in which you or someone you know has demonstrated confirmation bias.

This situation may not be the most interesting. Still, I would say that a case that I have demonstrated confirmation bias would be arguing over which type of phone is better (Andriod or iPhone). I have always been a fan of Android phones, which stems from my experience of only owning an Android. When arguing this topic, it's so easy to pick a side just because you haven't ever experienced the other option!

Discuss two steps based on the assigned reading and video that could minimize the effect of bias in the situation you described.

The first step that I could use to minimize the effect of bias would be to utilize my new knowledge of the impact of bias and try to steer my decisions from being so. I need to try and remain open-minded and understand that I have never tried the other phone brand, so I do not know if I would like it or not. The second step I would utilize would be from the video about having a scout mindset. I think incorporating this mindset's characteristics will help me have the best response instead of jumping to conclusions. Just like in the video, Julia Galef mentions that it is not about making one side win and another lose; it is about just looking at everything as honestly as possible, even if we do not like it (TED, 2016).  

 

Explain why it is important for scholars to be aware of confirmation bias during the research process. Include how this awareness is important to you as you seek information for your own research.

Scholars must be aware of confirmation bias during their research because it can cause them not to have factual and accurate research. This kind of research would affect all of their work and others who may interact with it. If I am researching and many of my articles are biased, it would cause my information to be invalid and opinionated. This is why the awareness of the scholars and myself is vital while researching. 

Post 2

Hello class,

Confirmation bias affects everyone of us in some way or another, and it happens nearly everyday. I chose to write about confirmation bias in regards to news sources and media outlets. We live in the most technologically advanced time in history, and almost every one of us consumes some form of media on a daily basis. After reading and watching the discussion materials, I realized that myself and most people I know tend to have a favorite source, or... a bias, as to where we obtain our news.

After having explored further into what a confirmation bias fully entails, and realizing how many things in day to day life they affect, I felt the first step in minimizing the impact of a confirmation bias was to simply acknowledge one is present. Acknowledging that a bias is present is important because it allows us to transition back into an objective mind set when evaluating or consuming media. Objectivity is very important for a person to master. Our favorite media outlets are our favorite for a reason, because they tend to align with ideas or concepts that we either agree with or, value in some regard. That does not necessarily mean that is wrong, but by identifying the potential for emotion and bias to influence us, we can move back into the grey area of objectivity to evaluate media. I feel that the second thing that is important to minimize the impact of a bias is to expand beyond our favorite resources. Taking in perspective from other or even opposing sources is a good way for people to find objectivity. Sources that challenge our held beliefs allow us to evaluate and criticize our perspective. It is not necessarily about changing our beliefs, but rather considering things we may not have previously.

In a scholarly setting it is important for researchers to remain objective because typically the purpose of research is to provide facts, and unbiased commentary or evaluations. After now realizing how confirmation biases can be difficult to detect, it is important for me to remain objective because I value integrity in my research. I like to try and remain as unbiased and objective as possible, as I value facts and stats above most things. It is also important for my research to be aware of how biases may be affecting other writers, or their data evaluations. Being able to identify biases from other writers will help to allow me to pick out the hard facts and data from biased sources.