Web Bias

Search for the Truth

Abstract:

Searching for good information on the web is no easy task. The majority of sites are not suitable for academic research. In order to pinpoint valuable, credible, and accurate information, strict litmus tests must be used. “The Internet epitomizes the concept of ‘caveat lector’: let the reader beware” (Kirk, 1996). We must be aware and question everything in order to not be duped by nonsense.

Treatment:

I was a curious child inquisitive of the world, asking the key question, “why?” It is no surprise that I became a journalist who was trained and expected to ask: who, what, when, where, why, and how on every news story. I learned to dig deep even at a young age and those questions have served me well. Truth does not sit on the surface; we must peel the onion layer by layer in order to divulge good information and distinguish truth from bias and run-a-muck on the web.

Michael Shermer noted in his Baloney Detection Kit, that we must become acutely aware of personal beliefs that lead to biases in reporting (2010). If a theory is not fully tested in a cogent and impartial way, the results will be tampered. Additionally he discussed that sources should be reliable and credible who challenge theories using scientific methodology (Shermer, 2010). If aliens exist, a researcher needs to present the evidence they do, not just dispute evidence that they do not. “Science is the best tool ever devised to truly understand the world” (Shermer, 2010). Although this statement is a good one, standing alone it shows bias in Shermer’s viewpoint, as other pedagogy can be very useful in understanding the world too.

Watch out for bias


Whether using scientific or other standards, the goal in researching is to find the truth. In order to find good primary sources, students must look for the following: transparency in research, timeliness, credibility of source and author, verifiability, peer-reviewed sources, accuracy, and experts. I teach this in my writing courses at the University. Supportively, Elizabeth Kirk wrote about similar criteria in her article. She took it a few steps further to identify the need to: understand search-engine placement and paid-for positioning, referral to literature that shows a command of the discipline by the author, and knowing publishing companies and their reputations in the industry (Kirk, 1996). By adding these criteria together and implementing them on all searches, good information can be found on the web.

Additionally, while researching we need to ask who is dispensing the information. Alan November said, “You are in trouble if you don’t know who controls the information you access” (November, 2007). We can use the site EasyWho Is.com to find out who owns and publishes web sites. It is important to know that a white-supremacy group runs the racist semantics on martinlutherking.org, instead of a more noble organization who espouses truth. We must know who is dispensing information in order to give it credence.

Conclusion:

With millions of web sites, more than 70 million blogs, Wikipedia that can be edited by anyone, and web 2.0, any person can participate in information giving and gathering today. So how do we distinguish bias, credibility, and authenticity in information on the web? We must always question and use strict criteria to find good sources.

T: Can we trust the source and author?
R: Is the information real? Does evidence support it?
U: We must understand the big picture, always critically think
T: Is the information timely, relevant and pertinent?
H: We must hone research skills to divulge good, accurate, and unbiased information


References:
Kirk, E. E. (1996). Evaluating information found on the Internet. Johns Hopkins University, The Sheridan Libraries. Retrieved from http://www.library.jhu.edu/researchhelp/general/evaluating/

Shermer, M. (2010). The baloney detection kit. The committed sardine. Retrieved from http://www.committedsardine.com/blogpost.cfm?blogID=181

November, A. (2007). November learning. YouTube.com. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVLS_rlwnwI

Picapp. (2010). Internet. Retrieved from http://www.picapp.com/search.aspx?term=internet&pageNum=2&cats=creative

YouTube. (2009). Cognitive bias video song. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RsbmjNLQkc