This document provides information about biases and their effects on research. It defines biases as systematic weaknesses in judgment that can lead to flawed decisions. Biases exist for cognitive, motivational, and cultural reasons. Biases in research design or interpretation can produce invalid results and conclusions. The document then describes several common types of biases researchers may encounter, such as confirmation bias, in-group bias, and negativity bias. It explains how each bias can influence perspectives or decisions. Finally, the document advises ways to minimize biases, like challenging assumptions, considering alternative views, and objectively interpreting all results rather than selectively focusing on certain findings.

1. Exploiting Rapid
Change in Technology
Enhanced Learning
… for Post Graduate Education
Biases in Your Research

2. “The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to
comprehend”
Robertson Davies
Tempest-Tost (1951)

3. Agenda
1. What are biases?
2. Effects of biases
3. Types of biases

5. 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

6. Why Do Biases Exist?
Reflect on reasons
Cognitive
Motivational
Cultural

7. 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

8. Types of Biases
How biases look like

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Buyer’s Stockholm Bias
Justify an overt incorrect decision so as to avoid feeling
uncomfortable or insecure of our views
Fear to challenge

13. Observational Selection Bias
Assume the frequency of an event or thing has
increased after we have selected it
Overestimate impact

14. Anchoring Effect Bias
Compare and contrast items or decisions using only a
limited set of criteria
Evaluate using restricted criteria

15. Bandwagon Effect Bias
Reject to accept evidence
Follow the ideas or behaviours of others, despite
evidence against, due to our desire of fitting in

16. Negativity Bias
Think negatively
Assign more importance or credibility to negative
news or situations

17. Status-Quo Bias
Aversion to change
Avoid decisions that may change the current
situation because new scenarios are perceived as
inferior or worse

18. Projection Bias
My 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

19. The Current Moment Bias
Now is what matters
Have trouble to imagine ourselves in the future and
make decisions accordingly

20. Bias Blind Spot
You are biased. I am not
Perceive the existence and operation of biases in
other people more than ourselves

21. What You Know Now
1. What a bias is
2. Why they exist
3. Impact on your research
4. Types of biases

23. What’s Up at DoctoralNet?
1. Fridays – quick technology examples per topic:
Nov 18th 8. keep your motivation up
Dec 3rd 9. tools for data collection
2. Webinars through December – Phase 1, 2, and 3, covered each month
1. November 22nd – Doctoral socialization: What are you missing and why
should you care?
2. November 29th – Discussing Your Findings: A Qualitative Case Study
3. December 6th – Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks
4. December 13th - Organization for 2017: Moving Your Thesis Forward
5. December 14th LET’S PARTY!
3. Groups! – alternate Tuesdays – Read Listen Comment (Improve Your Writing &
4 Lingerers (Get Your Thesis Moving Again)