Recognizing Web Bias

Abstract

The World Wide Web is comprised of information and data from all over the world. Anyone can add content, thereby, promoting a particular point of view or perspective. Over 21.4 million websites were added in 2010 increasing the total number of sites on the web to 255 million as of December 2010 (“Internet 2010,” 2010). Technology, increasing at such unprecedented rates, has become “a fundamental force in shaping the identity, cognitive and affective processes, and social activities of our students, clients, and research  participants" (APA, 2009).  With technology playing such a crucial role, there is a great need for skills in analyzing and evaluating the merit of information found on the Internet to ascertain its validity and the presence of bias.

Treatment

Sifting through the wealth of information on the web to determine authenticity or bias requires specific investigative skills. Shermer (2009) and researchers from the University of Maryland (2009) and Perdue University (2011) recommend using some of the following questions as a guide:

·      Is the information current? When was the page last updated? Are links up to date?

·      Can claims be replicated or tested?

·      Are theories slanted towards one belief?

·      Who is the author of the website and what are their qualifications and expertise?

·      What is the purpose of the website?

·      Is the site well maintained, easy to read and navigate, few of spelling and grammatical errors?

·      Is the site directed toward a particular audience?

·      Do the associated or linked pages have a bias?

·      How does the information compare to other sources in the field?

November (2007) demonstrated with his example of the Martin Luther King site owned by a White Nationalist organization the necessity of being diligent in researching and validating sites. However, even with due diligence, hidden bias can sometimes be evident. Shermer (2009) presents 10 critical tips for analyzing web data, but his slanted perspective, belligerent attitude, and stereotypical placement of images in his video raise questions about how to retrieve value (if it exists) in content rife with bias. As scholars, we are challenged to apply critical thinking skills to clarify goals, examine assumptions, discern hidden values, evaluate evidence, accomplish actions, and assess conclusions (“Critical thinking,” 2011).  Doing so gives us the ability to separate fact from propaganda and engage in healthy discussion of the negatives and positives present in biased message. It is with this same healthy approach to critical analysis that we must examine all information, whether found on the web or otherwise.

Conclusion

As information on the web grows, our ability to deal with its growth must also increase. Users of the Internet are cautioned to approach web sites with a critical eye to determine validity and authenticity. Implicit and explicit bias in information presented by web contributors dictates that users develop methods for filtering information when navigating web sites. There is great responsibility on all of us to critically verify and validate all information, especially that found on the web, in effort to determine what is valuable and credible.

References

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