Unit 2 - Lesson 1: Recognizing Bias in Sources

Do-Now Question

What is bias? How has bias impacted you? Answer in 2-3 complete sentences.

Lesson Objectives

Students will be able to recognize bias in both online sources and the search tools used to ﬁnd them. Students will be able to critique scientiﬁc articles for reliability.

Bias in Online Resources

Bias is a tendency to favor one idea, person, or thing over another, often in an unfair or prejudiced way. As much as we try to avoid having bias in our scientific work, it's often difficult to avoid it. Watch this video (http s://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFdSUSM-TXg) to learn more about bias in articles. While you watch the video, think more about what bias is, and how it affects how you will complete your own research.

Now that you've thought a bit about bias in the articles you view, and how that might shape your own research and arguments, it's also important to consider the bias that can be present even in our search engines and search tools. Now, watch another video (https://ny.pbslearningmedia.or g/resource/nvseb-sci-searchengine/how-do-search-engines-rank-results- search-engine-breakdown/?student=true) on bias in search engines, and think about how this will affect how you do your research, too. Optionally, also watch the other two short videos in this series to learn even more about bias in search engines.

Activity: Bias Detective

Instructions: Below are three excerpts from different online sources on the same topic: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Make a copy of this worksheet (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HsyL83nrTWO7GZd8oDWmm3netAo0lwJW9LIQcAIXthc/copy), and complete it while reading through the passages below.

Source 1: The FDA (https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/science-and-history-gmos-and-other-food-modific ation-processes)

"For thousands of years, humans have been using traditional modification methods like selective breeding and crossbreeding to breed plants and animals with more desirable traits. For example, early farmers developed cross-breeding methods to grow corn with a range of colors, sizes, and uses. Today’s strawberries are a cross between a strawberry species native to North America and a strawberry species native to South America."

Source 2: Dr. Jane Goodall (https://www.news.janegoodall.org/2016/10/31/tales-food-crisis-true-horrors-gmos/?gad_sourc e=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-UNzdVhZRpV4Wf0OnCNPB1zdF6z&gclid=CjwKCAjw8IfABhBXEiwAxRHlsC_SFuAOGI8FGa9ISqYfJ J6LqBpT_pFsmA3Spynad-ks29uNH4laXhoCI-QQAvD_BwE)Fo"The most recent monstrous crime against plants – at least in my view – is the tinkering with their DNA. One example is the insertion of bacterial genes into the DNA of plants so that they produce proteins toxic to insect pests. The era of biotechnology has begun. For me, born in 1934 – before TV, before computers, before the landing on the Moon – the creation of genetically modified (BM) crops is another example of science fiction becoming reality."

Source 3: Rebecca Rupp, National Geographic (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/rebecca-rupp-im-pro-g mo-and-heres-why)

"Increasingly, these days, another addition to the to-be-avoided list is the sensitive subject of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)—mostly in the form of genetically changed foods. Strong language between pro-GMO and anti-GMO groups brings to mind the extremely hostile Montagues and Capulets, Campbells and McDonalds, and Hatfields and McCoys. So—I might as well be right up front here—I’m pro-GMO. I think the possible positives greatly outweigh the possible negatives. (We’ll get to those. First, let’s talk.)"

Be sure to submit your copy of the worksheet on Google Classroom!