Bias Detection (captioned)

Explained by Common Craft
An essential skill in the 21st century is being able to find and use high quality information. Part of this is detecting bias in media. By understanding the role that bias plays in media, we can use articles, interviews, videos and more with greater integrity.
Embed Download

Explanation Specialists since 2007

- More Info & Transcript

Video Transcript:

You probably know someone who is a big sports fan. Win or lose, their team is the best and they love to let others know.

In sports, we expect people to be biased for their own team. Their goal isn’t fairness and it’s obvious.

They wear their bias on their sleeve, or even their face on occasion. And just like people root for sports teams, they also root for ideas, laws, products, research, politicians and more.

People often write articles, make videos and do interviews that are biased. They are designed to promote their team’s side of the story. And that’s fine. Bias can rally a team and win debates for the greater good.

The problem is that bias is often hidden.  What might appear to be neutral, fair information can be biased.

For example, to understand the current state of climate change you can’t depend on one team’s biased perspective. You need information that is neutral, fair and unbiased.

The same is true for important decisions in science, education, government and more. Unbiased information is essential.

The problem is that it can be hard to see whether the goal of an article, for instance, is to be fair, or to root for their team. The best you can do is learn to detect bias.

Imagine reading an article and asking yourself: Who is the author and what is their motivation?  Do they earn money or benefit by promoting one idea over another? If so, the article may be biased.

Does the author provide only one way to think about a subject? Do they ignore key information or perspectives that don’t fit their own? If so, they may be biased.

Are sources cited in the article? Who or what are they and what role do they play? If the sources are biased, there may be misinformation and the article itself may be biased.

Does the article use insulting language or buzzwords? Does it use examples that appeal to only one side of a story? If so, the article may be biased.

It’s important to note that bias isn’t always bad, and can be helpful. The key is learning to recognize the author’s bias and evaluating the information with that bias in mind. This way, you can choose the best sources for your needs.

 

What it teaches:

Building on the example of sports fans, this video illustrates how bias is a common and sometimes productive part of how we communicate. It also shows how bias can cause problems when it’s hidden or not detected. This video teaches:

  • Why bias is a common and expected part of communicating
  • Why high quality information needs to be unbiased
  • What problems occur when bias is ignored
  • What to look for - common signs of bias in media

Video Info:

  • Duration:  02m 38s
  • Captions Available:  YES
  • Lesson Plan:  YES
  • Category:  Study Skills
  • ISTE Standard:  Knowledge Constructor, Indicator 3b
  • ACRL Info Literacy Frame:  Authority is Constructed and Contextual
Plans and Pricing

Related Videos - View All Videos

Explain Your Ideas with Cut-outs

Make your next creative project remarkable using our library of 3,388 original, matching visuals.

Download high resolution images to your computer and use them in presentations, documents, training materials, videos and more.

Learn MoreSearch the Library

"I use Common Craft Cut-outs to explain complex concepts and brighten presentations at our company."
- Julie Rieken, CEO, Trakstar and Reviewsnap
Explainer Academy
Develop powerful explanation skills. Learn to create animated explainer videos. 
 
Join Common Craft founder Lee LeFever in online, self-paced courses at the Explainer Academy.

Go To ExplainerAcademy.com

"In a word, the Explainer Academy was delightful, very well executed, and very practical."
- Bill Welter, President, Adaptive Strategies
 

Find the Right Plan for You

Plans and Pricing