ExploitingRapidChangeinTechnologyEnhancedLearning…forPostGraduateEducation

Biases in Your Research

“The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend”

Robertson DaviesTempest-Tost (1951)

Agenda

1. What are biases?

2. Effects of biases

3. Types of biases

What Are Biases?

Systematic weaknesses in judgment, in favour or against

something, that lead us to questionable decisions or

erroneous conclusions

Know your goal first

Preconceptions in action

Why Do Biases Exist?

Reflect on reasons

Cognitive

Motivational

Cultural

Effects of Biases in Research

1. Biases in the design of the research = useless results and conclusions

2. Biases in the interpretation of the results = invalid conclusions

Think of consequences for your research

Types of BiasesHow biases look like

Confirmation Bias

Focus only on perspectives that are similar to ours and ignore or dismiss those that challenge our points of view

Look only for what you believe in

a. Challenge preexisting assumptions and hypotheses

b. Ask research questions that allow the emergence of unexpected outcomes

c. Perform sampling in such a way that the sample includes not only subjects that

may support the researcher’s views but also those that may challenge them

d. Do not omit results that challenge your views. Interpret them

e. Build instruments that do not prevent the gathering of data that may challenge

your views

f. Design procedures that make subjects comfortable enough to provide accurate

and reliable information

g. Stick to what data shows. Do not manipulate results

h. Avoid making conclusions based on just one source of information

How to minimize confirmation bias

In-group Bias

Overestimate the positive aspects of the ideas and

positions of our group and do not consider or value

what has been proposed outside it

Focus only on one position

Buyer’s Stockholm Bias

Justify an overt incorrect decision so as to avoid feeling

uncomfortable or insecure of our views

Fear to challenge

Observational Selection Bias

Assume the frequency of an event or thing has

increased after we have selected it

Overestimate impact

Anchoring Effect Bias

Compare and contrast items or decisions using only a

limited set of criteria

Evaluate using restricted criteria

Bandwagon Effect BiasReject to accept evidence

Follow the ideas or behaviours of others, despite

evidence against, due to our desire of fitting in

Negativity BiasThink negatively

Assign more importance or credibility to negative

news or situations

Status-Quo BiasAversion to change

Avoid decisions that may change the current

situation because new scenarios are perceived as

inferior or worse

Projection BiasMy point of view is the best

Think other people think like us and agree with us

due to our difficulty to project outside of our minds

and preferences

The Current Moment BiasNow is what matters

Have trouble to imagine ourselves in the future and

make decisions accordingly

Bias Blind SpotYou are biased. I am not

Perceive the existence and operation of biases in

other people more than ourselves

What You Know Now

1. What a bias is

2. Why they exist

3. Impact on your research

4. Types of biases

What’s Up at DoctoralNet?1. Fridays – quick technology examples per topic:

Nov 18th 8. keep your motivation upDec 3rd 9. tools for data collection

2. Webinars through December – Phase 1, 2, and 3, covered each month1. November 22nd – Doctoral socialization: What are you missing and why

should you care?2. November 29th – Discussing Your Findings: A Qualitative Case Study3. December 6th – Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks4. December 13th - Organization for 2017: Moving Your Thesis Forward5. December 14th LET’S PARTY!

3. Groups! – alternate Tuesdays – Read Listen Comment (Improve Your Writing & 4 Lingerers (Get Your Thesis Moving Again)