WEEK 2

Prepare: Retrieve the research topic that you settled on and the research question that you created for the Week 1 written assignment.

Watch these videos and listen to the podcast:

• TED. (2016, August 8). Why you think you’re right—Even if you’re wrong (Links to an external site.) | Julia Galef [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/w4RLfVxTGH4


• Gorbach, J. (2017, February 24). Cognitive dissonance confirmation bias (Links to an external site.) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/mJagTkoVmHo


• Chatfield, T. (2017). Tom Chatfield on critical thinking and bias (D. Edmonds, Interviewer) [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://methods.sagepub.com/

Reflect:

Consider the concept of confirmation bias and how it affects the way we frame research questions and the information we search for and select, as well as how we present the information we find. Think about the assumptions we make every day and how those assumptions might be helpful and unhelpful when doing research.

Consider any assumptions you have about your research topic, how those assumptions could lead to confirmation bias, and how you could address that bias in your research.

Reflect on the information that you learned in preparing for this discussion and how it fits with information that you learned from the textbook and in previous classes about critical thinking and mindset.

Write: 

Based on your learning in the Prepare and Reflect sections above, write at least three paragraphs fully addressing the following prompt. Be sure to cite any sources you use or refer to.

• Explain what confirmation bias is, why it is important for researchers to be aware of it, and how its effects can be minimized.


• Identify at least one bias you have that may affect your research question. Explain specific steps you can take to minimize the effect of that bias.


• Discuss how learning about confirmation bias has contributed to your growth as a learner and researcher.

Your initial post must be at least 350 words and address all of the prompt’s elements.

You must cite and reference any sources that you use in your posts, including your textbook or any other sources of information you use. Please refer to the Writing Center’s Citing Within Your Paper (Links to an external site.) and Formatting Your References List (Links to an external site.) for help with citing and referencing your sources.