Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
that have tested several competing products. However, even out
sider reviewers can have biases. For example, some testers may have
a bias toward using hightech software and relying upon software
to solve various problems, and these reviews may be more positive
than reports from individuals or organizations that view filtering
software as a threat to free speech.
Although these types of selfpromoting biases may be obvious,
some may be subtler. For example, when several students were asked
to name innovations made by Microsoft, one group went directly to
microsoft.com. Another group anticipated that this site might have
some biases and went to sites developed by other software compa
nies. In many cases, however, these companies were supplying soft
ware applications to run under a Microsoft operating system, so the
fortunes of these reviewers depended upon the success of
Microsoft—hardly an environment that fosters objectivity regarding
possible innovations. A third group wanted to avoid any conflict of
interest and sought out reviews by companies involved with the
Linux or Unix operating system. However, because Linux and Unix
are competitors to Microsoft, these groups also might be considered
to have a natural bias. The Web contains a remarkable amount of
material on the subject, but sorting out biases can be an enormous
task. In many cases, it may be difficult to determine whether the in
formation presented on a site is objective or motivebased.
With the great extent of subtleties and variations in Web mate
rials, you are well advised to check any information you find by an
Bias through Inclusion, Exclusion, and Emphasis
One subtle type of bias can arise in the selection of material that goes into reports. For
example, in the 2003 war with Iraq by the United States and Great Britain, the press in
the United States generally highlighted threats posed by Saddam Hussein. Some news
organizations covered protests by people around the world, but the time and space de
voted to such coverage typically was quite limited. In contrast, the press in New Zealand
gave at least as much coverage to the protests as to any potential threats. In hearing
reports from both locations, even reports giving multiple perspectives, listeners received
very different messages regarding the extent of the threats and the significance of the
protests.
In this news coverage, the stories presented various sides of the Iraqi war in objective
ways. The amount of space devoted to the varying sides, however, suggested different
priorities and perspectives. As this coverage suggests, reports can be biased not only by
how a subject is covered, but also by what topics are included, excluded, or emphasized.
