Reliable research materials

Sometimes readers at the Thammasat University Libraries may appreciate advice from staff about what research materials are reliable. Depending on the field of study, there are different definitions for the word bias. However all serious researchers agree that it is not a good thing, since it results in writings that are not reliable or helpful. Bias means that writers have already made up their minds about a subject even before beginning to research it. Another word for bias is prejudice. Bias can be for someone or something, or against others. As much as possible scholarly research tries to be neutral, or keeping an open mind until the evidence can be weighed. Sometimes writers will make guesses to try to back up their biases or prejudices, instead of finding solid evidence either way. In the sciences and engineering, biases are errors within a system. In the field of statistics, bias happens when data has been inaccurately obtained from a sample population. Sometimes in statistics, if we estimate wrongly, the result can also be bias. We may not always be aware of the bias that we naturally may feel about some subjects. Especially for TU students, we must try not to let bias get in the way of learning new things or thinking about subjects in an original and creative way. If what we study at university only confirms all of the bias we have when we are very young, then we will not have learned much at university. For this reason it is useful to be as objective and critical as possible with research assignments. Students should be particular careful about what is called pseudoscience, or misleading results that are presented as if they were fact. If students ask:

How can I check for bias in a books?

How can I check for bias in an article?

How can I check for bias in an online source?

Since researchers are usually looking for reliable facts, the first reply we may give to students is

What is the source of the text?

When information is published in reputable scholarly journals, it is more likely to be accurate. Even famous scientists and other researchers sometimes make mistakes, but at least mistakes in serious journals are backed up by solid research and documentation. There are ways to check what statements are made. If readers find information online, we may ask:

Is the information published by a serious professional scholarly organization?

Too often material is posted online without any research standards, and the result is unreliable. Another question we might ask students is

Was the text published online by people hoping to make money for its publication?

If there is a commercial motive for texts being posted online, if people are trying to tell something, it may not be objective data published just to inform people. The question of why something is published may be difficult for students to answer. If the data is there just for entertainment, this may not be a serious source of information. The texts should be published by serious researchers to teach and inform readers. Another aspect might be

Does the text give both sides to an argument?

Whatever the subject, is there some attempt to explain or take into consideration other viewpoints? Writings with only one point of view are usually not the best scholarship. Also:

Does the text seem to be insulting, calling names, or otherwise written in a way that does not respect people?

In serious scholarship, even when dealing with issues or subjects that may be emotional, the tone of the writing should be calm and not carried away by emotions. The student may ask:

How can we know if a text is objective?

There are several answers that may be useful:

If the text is published in a peer-reviewed scholarly journal, it is more likely to be objective.  

If the text seems neutral or discussed different points of view, it is more likely to be serious.

If the writer does not seem to try to pressure the reader to believe one thing or another, it is more likely to be serious. 

Was the text published to inform and teach readers? If so, it is more likely to be serious. 

If the student is still confused and wonders how we can tell if a well-designed website is serious or not, we can suggest that they look into the purpose of the organization that presents the website. Click on the About US link and see why the organization exists. If it is to support a specific viewpoint or idea, then it may not be the best source for balanced information looking at both sides of any question. Websites for scholarly journals, newspapers, and other publications all have some kind of About Us link that can also be examined. In ebooks, information about sponsoring organizations may be found in an introduction, if a book has an introduction, or else on the website of the publisher. This may take a little time to find out who is offering us information, but it may be worth the effort. Students would not take seriously recommendations about a restaurant to eat in or a movie to see unless they know who is giving the information. When writing academic research articles or theses, we should always be just as serious when deciding whether to take seriously information that is provided to us.

(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)