Only the loud voices
A team plans a new help desk. They ask three managers. Nobody asks the students, the night staff or the people who use screen readers.
The plan looks fine to the managers. It does not work for everyone else.
Key words
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Objective | based on facts, not on feelings or opinions |
| Subjective | based on feelings or opinions |
| Inclusive | it makes room for different people and needs |
| Demographics | facts about groups of people, such as age, language and ability |
| Evidence | facts, tests or data that back up a claim |
| Bias | an unfair lean towards one side |
| Representation | who is included, and how fairly they are shown |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can use fact, an inclusive approach and objectivity to reduce bias in my sources and my own work.
Starter
Have a go
Starter
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Four ways to reduce bias
| Way | What you do | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Use fact and evidence | Back each claim with a test, a number or a link | Quote the speed test, not "it feels fast" |
| Be inclusive | Ask a wide mix of people | Ask students, staff, night staff and visitors |
| Represent everyone | Make sure all the groups affected are counted | Include different ages, languages and abilities |
| Be objective | Keep your own opinions out of the findings | Report what you saw, then give your view separately |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Objective and subjective
"The Wi-Fi is awful" is subjective. It is a feeling. "The Wi-Fi dropped 14 times in 2 hours" is objective. Anyone can check it.
Write the objective facts first. Put opinions after them, and say they are opinions.
Check
Have a go
Check
4 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.