13 Clues About Bias

Provided below are some clues you can look for when you are investigating whether or not a source contains any biased information.

Coverage

Unbiased: This source’s information is not drastically different from the coverage of the topic elsewhere. Information and opinion about the topic do not seem to come out of nowhere. It does not seem as though the information has been shaped to fit.

Biased: Compared to what you have found in other sources covering the same topic, this content omits a lot of information about the topic, emphasizes vastly different aspects of it, and/or contains stereotypes or overly simplified information. Everything seems to fit the site’s theme, even though you know there are numerous ways to look at the issue(s).

Citing Sources

Unbiased: The source links to any earlier news or documents it refers to.

Biased: The source refers to earlier news or documents but does not link to the news report or document itself.

Evidence

Unbiased: Statements are supported by evidence and documentation.

Biased: There is little evidence and documentation presented, just assertions that seem intended to persuade by themselves.

Vested Interest

Unbiased: There is no overt evidence that the author will benefit from whichever way the topic is decided.

Biased: The author has a “vested interest” in the topic. For instance, if the site asks for contributions, the author probably will benefit if contributions are made. Or perhaps the author may get to continue his or her job if the topic that the website promotes gets decided in a particular way.

Imperative Language

Unbiased: Statements are made without strong emphasis and without provocative twists. There aren’t many exclamation points.

Biased: There are many strongly worded assertions. There are a lot of exclamation points.

Multiple Viewpoints

Unbiased: Both pro and con viewpoints are provided about controversial issues.

Biased: Only one version of the truth is presented about controversial issues.

Sources

This section includes material from the source chapter, “Degree of Bias” by Teaching & Learning, Ohio State University Libraries, found in Choosing and Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research, licensed as CC-BY 4.0