Week 2.6: Biases and Papers

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Week 2.6: Biases and Papers#

This week will focus on two slightly separate but equally important aspects of science: Bias and paper writing. The first is Bias—unconscious or otherwise. We all have biases shaped by our neurodevelopement—culture, language, experiences. As scientists, we strive to be objective, but the reality is that we very rarely are. In this workshop, we will discuss how to be aware of our biases and what we might want to do to shape them in the way we want. And why it matters. Biases influence which theories we believe; what papers get published and how scientific theory changes. This becomes even bigger when considering AI. The second part of this week is a dive into scientific paper writing. What should be included in a paper? what are the various parts of a paper?, and what is the process to follow in order to write a publishable paper? Components this week are:

Monday:

Wednesday:

Workshop: Unconscious Bias – in Science and Personal#

People make judgements about other people, themselves, science. Besides objective facts there are a whole range of additional ways in which we make judgements; they are influenced by culture, identity, values, human nature, and especially when unexamined we call these biases. On some level, they are unavoidable, but they are examinable and we can change them. Who’s in control of your decisions—your intellect and values or your biases?

Key Concepts#

Types of Cognitive biases (so many ways to categorize them)

  • Overconfidence

  • Self-serving

  • Herd Mentality

  • Loss Aversion

  • Framing Bias

  • Narrative fallacy

  • Anchoring Bias

  • Confirmation Bias

  • Cultural and values based

Types of Unconscious Biases

  • Race

  • Gender

  • Religion

  • Culture

  • Age

  • Disabilities

Key Concepts#

  • Understanding different types of biases

  • The ways it affects who is in science

  • The ways it affects what is in science

  • And the ways it affects how we do science.

  • Our own role in understanding biases?

  • How to counteract them?

Relevant Learning Goals#

  • Collaboration

  • Communication

  • Research process

  • Reflection

Workshop: Paper Writing#

In this hands-on workshop, students will work on their research paper. At the same time, we will discuss and apply guidelines and strategies for writing clear papers on three levels:

  • macro-level (the function and ingredients of the most important sections, how to create coherence between main objective and main conclusion)

  • meso-level (creating a flow on a paragraph level, making sure that steps in the storyline are well-connected and easily understood by readers)

  • micro-level (writing clear, concise, correct and attractive sentences; discussing common style and language issues in academic English)

At the end of the workshop, students will have written parts of their paper and have determined a strategy for finishing their (draft) paper.

Key Concepts#

  • Elements of a research paper

  • Scientific storyline (section and paragraph level)

  • Academic style and language

Relevant Learning Goals#

Communication

Group Activity of the Week#

Keep on researching and reading and writing. Check how your biases are affecting your research and if that’s the decision you want.

Make a writing plan for how you’ll finish your paper.

Discussion Questions#

  • Why do we worry about biases?

  • Where do they start?

  • What effect has bias had in science broadly speaking? What are some examples?

  • Do people make rational decisions?

  • Can we actually change our biases?

  • How are biases showing up in our projects?

Weekly Submitted Assignments#

Group#

Hand in the writing plan for your paper:

  • Which tasks need to be done?

  • Which deadlines have you set?

  • Who will take up which writing task?

  • How will you edit and evaluate each other’s work?

Individual#

What kinds of biases do you most struggle with? What strategies do you plan to use going forward to control their effect?

References#

What Is Unconscious Bias (And How You Can Defeat It) | Psychology Today

What is Unconscious Bias? — Unconscious Bias Project

Implicit Bias in STEM | Academic Affairs & Diversity (columbia.edu)

How Implicit Bias and Lack of Diversity Undermine Science - Scientific American Blog Network

Silyn-Roberts, H. (2013). Writing for Science and Engineering. 2nd ed. Elsevier. Available here (if required, login using your TU Delft NetID).

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