This assignment focuses on recognizing Bias in Research Reports. Tracey read a research report about the psychoanalytic approach to the study of personality. After reading the report, Tracey was convinced that the psychoanalytic approach was the best approach to study personality.

Recognizing Bias in Research Reports.

Tracey read a research report about the psychoanalytic approach to the study of personality. After reading the report, Tracey was convinced that the psychoanalytic approach was the best approach to study personality. The next day in psychology class, however, Tracey was asked to defend her argument in favor of the psychoanalytic approach to the study of personality. Tracey used several quotes form the research report only to realize that each one was referenced to Sigmund Freud. Tracey reread the entire report and realized that it had only quoted Sigmund Freud.

Recognizing Bias in Research Reports.

The write had not taken into account the viewpoints and research of other psychologists in the study of personality. Upon further investigation, Tracey found the writer had been a student of Sigmund Freud. When you read a research report, you must be careful to look for signs of bias in what you read. Bias is a viewpoint or an opinion that a writer brings to a research report. A research report may be biased because the writer has a preconceived idea of what he or she wants the research report to show. The research report that Tracey read was written by a person who probably had a preconceived idea that the psychoanalytic approach was the best approach to study personality.

Recognizing Bias in Research Reports.

To recognize bias in a research report, evaluate the report by using the following steps: 1. Identify the writer’s purpose in writing the research report. For example, if a behaviorist were to write a research report about whether or not humans have free will to make their own choices in life, you would expect the behaviorist to research and focus on how a person’s actions and choices are shaped by external forces or influences. 2. Examine wording for opinions. Does the writer use words that appeal to an emotion or indicate an opinion? For example, words and phrases such as contemptible, graceful, squeamish, may indicate an opinion. If opinions are used in the research report, they should be supported with facts.

Recognizing Bias in Research Reports.

3. Examine wording for negative or positive connotations. Does the writer use words or expressions that suggest approval or disapproval? Does the writer use suggestive, undeserving, or unfair analogies to make a point? If so, this indicates a bias. 4. Examine wording for overgeneralizations. Overgeneralizations often use words such as best, worst, none, all, and everybody. 5. Examine the research report for an imbalance in the presentation. Does the report present only one side of an issue or theory and fail to present other viewpoints or research? 6. Examine the research report for implied beliefs of hidden assumptions.

Recognizing Bias in Research Reports.

Does the report imply beliefs that are not valid? Thinking Skills: Read the following excerpts from research reports. Use the steps described above to identify and explain the bias in each concept. 1. In every nation, students are using cell-phones. Many schools have banned their use during the school day. A principle of the Tri-State Area High said, “Cell phones don’t contribute to positive learning and are a potential distraction.” Research about cell phones by psychologists have concluded there are already enough distractions that students need to deal with daily, and using cell phones should not be another.

Recognizing Bias in Research Reports.

2. Gabe Smith conducted research on school uniforms. After interviewing multiple students and observing 5 schools (3 with uniforms and 2 without uniforms), Smith made the following conclusion, “School uniforms put a limit on creativity. If all students wear the same thing, individuality and personal expression are severely limited. Clothing does not distract from education; it inspires our imaginations.” 3. Violet Flowers (age 30) conducted research on Erikson’s stages of development.   https://youtu.be/FWabHJFAfxE

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