How To Research Responsibly and Truly Understand Data
As engaged citizens, it is our responsibility to critically and ethically think about issues that might invite controversy or debate. Much of the time, there are valid and logical points on both sides and it is important to consider many perspectives before deciding your own opinion. We have seen the harm that silence and neutrality cause and how there are fewer and fewer excuses for abstaining from politics, as the personal is almost always political. In the digital age, we have access to more data and information than at any point in history. It is up to us to learn how to navigate the slew of data and identify credible sources amidst the outpouring of opinions and information.
Below is a guide to responsible research including questions to keep in mind when you are exploring resources.
Photo by Dan Dimmock on Unsplash
Responsible Research Guidelines
Become comfortable changing your opinion when presented with new information
Intellectual humility is the virtue of acknowledging our own limited view of the world and having the adaptability to change our opinions when introduced to novel perspectives or information. While it is important to have the integrity to adhere to our own core values, having the humility to make informed decisions and change our opinions when necessary is also a sign of responsible, ethical citizenship.
Acknowledge the role your privilege plays in your social location
We are all in the process of learning and unlearning - therefore it is important to recognize how our social identities, privileges and marginalization have affected our worldview differently than someone with different identities. Privilege can look different in many forms and we must keep intersectionality in mind, as well as recognize how the effects of privilege and marginalization look different for everyone.
Acknowledge all sides of the controversy before forming an opinion
Along with recognizing our privilege is addressing our unconscious biases. When researching a controversial issue, it is best to keep an open mind about all sides of the issue before forming an opinion. When we have a full view of what our values align with and what they do not align with, our opinions gain credibility because we have a stronger sense of what we support, what we don’t support and why. Looking for neutral sources can help reduce the impact of bias.
Research context and background about issues beyond just the contemporary moment
Movements are always changing with time and we must take time to understand the history that shaped current issues. Context also helps us identify key participants in the issue and what differing motives they might have.
Look for reputable sources
Sources that come from academia or reputable organizations are more likely to report findings based on empirical evidence. Looking for .edu or .org sources is a good rule of thumb to use when engaging in responsible research.
Questions to think about when analyzing a source
Who is represented in the data?
Identifying patterns about who is represented in conversations about controversial issues tells us who the issue has revolved around. This may or may not be actually representative of the reality of the issue. For example, the dialogue around #WorldDayAgainstTrafficking focused on the kidnappings of white children, which empirical data shows us is not a very prevalent form of trafficking. Disproportionately focusing on this small population detracts resources and attention away from populations that are at a greater risk of being trafficked.
Who is NOT represented in the data?
Oftentimes, exclusion and erasure can tell us who was centered in conversations about the issue and who was pushed to the margins. Again, this ties to privileges that social groups might have. For example, much of academia was dominated by white males historically, meaning that the origins of many social sciences were focused on phenomena about white men, which may not apply to other identities.
Where could researcher or reporter bias come into play? Are there any conflicts of interest?
Everyone has unconscious biases, but failing to recognize those biases when it comes to empirical research can lead to biased reporting. For example, criminologists have observed that news sources will often exaggerate the prevalence of a certain type of crime if they know that it will gain traction and attention. While the reporting might not be entirely false, distortions of reality for the purpose of gaining mass media attention can contribute to the conflation of public issues. Another example might be religious organizations that selectively report data that supports their values and motives.
Where is the money moving?
Money can be a huge indicator of values, especially at the corporate and political level where money is reflective of support. For example, some politicians may vote against gun control legislation because they receive funding from the NRA.
Who is the source? Are they credible? Are there any obvious biases? Is the source partisan? Is there a financial benefit to them?
To assess whether a source is credible, it’s important to assess:
Authority
Is the publisher of the source reputable?
Is the author credible? Do they have professional credibility in the field they’re reporting on?
What is the reputation of the organization? What biases might they hold?
Bias
What biases might affect the source?
Is there a scope of information that’s missing?
How does your own bias affect how you’re receiving the information?
Currency
How recently was the source published? Is it still relevant?
Does the date matter to this issue?
Quality
What type of study was done? What data do the conclusions rest upon?
Were the results confirmed by other sources with similar findings?
Are there any obvious grammatical/technical errors that could indicate the reporting is unfounded?
At Dressember, we are thinking critically about the decriminalization of sex work and the various perspectives in this dialogue. To read more about what we’re learning about decriminalization using these responsible research ethics, click here.
About the Author
Becca Wong is a junior at the University of Michigan studying Sociology and Social Work with a minor in data science. She aspires to reform trauma-informed legal systems and is passionate about mental health, survivor advocacy, and social justice. In her free time, she loves curating playlists, taking care of her plants and spending time with her friends.