Research Unbound: A Library Orientation for Transfer, Upper-Division, and Graduate Students

Evaluating Objectivity and Bias

It is also important to evaluate an informational resource's standpoint: that is, is it objective, or is the author or producer of the information biased in some way? Objectivity and bias can be very obvious. For instance, this article from the Detroit Red Wings website discusses a player's positive contributions to the team: if we consider the article's author - a writer working for the team - we can see that they are not an objective source for evaluating this player's talent. But, bias can be much more subtle and harder to determine. For instance, does this CNN article on medical marvels represent a bias, or is it objective?

As you consider the objectivity and biases of your information, make sure you answer these questions:

• Does the information in this resource focus only on one point of view? If so, have you considered why this might be so? Is the author trying to convey his or her own personal agenda for a reason?
• Might it be useful to consider information from other resources and with opposing viewpoints?

In your research, as in most areas throughout your life, it is almost always valuable to consider multiple perspectives, and then draw your own conclusions based on a diverse body of information.