(State Farm, 2012)
Abstract
The Internet has become an important part of
the research process. Unfortunately, much of the information found on the web
has the potential to mislead its readers. This stems from misinformation, a
lack of peer review, and personal bias. However, through the use of specific
methodologies, keeping an open mind, and skepticism, a researcher can minimize
the chances of misinformation finding its way into their work
Treatment
When used properly, the Internet can be an
incredibly useful tool used to answer questions and provide insight. However,
if misused, the Internet can deceive, misdirect, and misinform. Although
some of the material on the web might contain falsified and biased information, there are methods in place to help separate fact from fiction.
On Ian Jukes site (2009), Michael Sherman
provides 10 questions to ask in order to help detect "baloney" on the
Internet. These questions lead the researcher to ask about the source of the
claim, to investigate if anyone tried to disprove the claim, and to question if
any personal beliefs are driving the claim. The questions not only help detect
bias but will help the researcher learn more about the author of the website, a
fact often overlooked on the Internet.
Authorship and bias often work hand in hand,
but each contains equally important information. According to Elizabeth
Kirk (1996), authorship is "perhaps the major criterion used in evaluating
information." She suggests looking at how well known the author of the
material is, whether they are respected within the community, and are you able
to retrieve biographical or additional information on the authors.
While bias is impossible to remove, it is
possible to manage. As researchers, if we understand that everything
contains bias, then we are instantly ahead of the game and able to filter out
the facts in the bias. For instance, the website Towleroad.com (Andy Towle, 2003), is a news blog created to give
information to the LGBTQ community. In their title they say, "Towleroad: a
site with homosexual tendencies,” indicates that they cater to the LGBTQ
community. If they provide information speaking out against this community,
they will lose readers. By understanding this, the reader will be able to
objectively read the articles, research further sites to match up the
information, and look in the text for biased language.
Websites thrive on the traffic they receive,
just as a turnkey store relies on the customers who walk through their door.
They need to pull their readers in, keep their interests piqued, and have them
return for more. Biased language is a way to achieve this. The
Wesboro Babtist Church, a group dedicated to condemning the homosexual
lifestyle, uses biased language to not only draw users to their site but to also
gain attention. Their bias exists in the web address they chose, www.godhatesfags.com, instantly telling the viewer that the bases for their
claims are founded in hate.
Conclusion
Through asking questions, understanding bias,
and using critical thinking a researcher is able to decipher the facts out of a
sea of fallacies. Understanding the bias will help the viewer determine the
validity of the source, the origin of the claim, and how much further research
it will take to properly find a supported answer. As Alan Pash (2011) said,
"You've got to employ a healthy level of skepticism for what
you're reading, watching, or otherwise consuming—on the Internet or elsewhere.
You've heard it before, but if it sounds too good to be true, it probably
is."
References
About
Westboro Baptist Church. (n.d.). Westboro
Baptist Church Home Page. Retrieved from
http://www.godhatesfags.com/wbcinfo/aboutwbc.html
Kirk, E.
(1996). Evaluating Internet information. Internet
Archive: Wayback Machine. Retrieved from
http://web.archive.org/web/20110307125321/http:/www.library.jhu.edu/researchhelp/general/evaluating/
November,
A. (n.d.). V. Find the Publisher of a Website | November Learning. November Learning | Education Consulting, Workshops
and Conferences. Retrieved from
http://novemberlearning.com/resources/information-literacy-resources/v-find-the-publisher-of-a-website/
Pash, A.
(2011, May 3). How to Identify and Avoid Spreading Misinformation, Myths, and
Urban Legends on the Internet. Lifehacker,
tips and downloads for getting things done. Retrieved from
http://lifehacker.com/5798308/how-to-identify-and-avoid-spreading-misinformation-myths-and-urban-legends-on-the-internet
Shermer,
M. (2009, August 27). The Baloney Detection Kit - Michael Shermer| The
Committed Sardine. 21st Century Fluency
Project. Retrieved from
http://www.committedsardine.com/blogpost.cfm?blogID=181
Towle, A.
(2006, May). | News | Towleroad. Gay News |
Gay Blog | Towleroad. Retrieved from
http://www.towleroad.com/1988/05/_towleroad_is_w.html
Image
References
Just the
Facts, Maam | ASPA National Weblog. (2012, April 19). ASPA National Weblog | Advancing excellence in public
service. Retrieved from
http://aspanational.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/just-the-facts-maam/
On
Admitting Bias | Getting Blanked | Blogs | theScore.com. (n.d.). blogs.thescore.com | Blogs | theScore.com.
Retrieved from http://blogs.thescore.com/mlb/2011/08/12/on-admitting-biases/
Skepticism
| Debunktion Junction. (2011, December 25). Debunktion
Junction | Where we debunk the dubious, quantify the quacks and foster a
secular society based upon critical thinking, science, reason and
"Pastafarianism". Retrieved September 2, 2012,
from http://debunktionjunction.net/archives/2676
State
Farm_ - State of Disbelief (French Model). (n.d.). YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Retrieved from
http://youtu.be/rmx4twCK3_I
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