Name
ID
Date
research framework 4
Getting to the Root: Examine Bias
A person’s identity is affected by many factors—birthplace, gender, nationality, racial or ethnic group, economic
standing, education, family situation, and so on. However, who you become—what you make of yourself—largely
depends not on these elements, but on how you respond to and interact with the events and circumstances
of your life.
However, you don’t live in a vacuum, so your sense of self can be colored by other people’s assumptions about you,
as well as your own assumptions about other people. These assumptions—opinions that are not fully informed—are
sometimes lumped together under the term prejudice or bias. It’s easy not to see your own biases, and it’s also easy
to internalize biases of others toward you that can limit your responses to the world around you.
Find Out Do some research about how and when people develop racial or other kinds of bias. Try to find data
from at least three sources. Record your findings on a chart like this one.
Research Notes
Source
TM ® & © Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved.
“Even at this stage of development [six years old], children who have not been
“How Do Children See
exposed to the racial prejudices of their family and society retain the remarkable Race?” by Dr. Marguerite A.
gift of obliviousness to the social baggage attached to race.”
Wright, psychologist
Recap Think about what you’ve discovered. Put these facts together with your own observations and experiences.
For example, you may have noticed that certain groups in your community avoid interacting with certain other
groups. Why do you think that may be so? What factors from both groups may be in play? Use your insights to help
with the next step.
Try This Write a set of five to ten survey questions that you can use to interview people about their biases in
some area. Good questions will be brief, simple to understand, and objective. They should be closed-ended, not openended. This means asking: “Do you believe that
is good for our school? Why or why not?” instead of “What do
you believe about
?”
Find several friends, family members, or people from your community willing to be interviewed. Look for people of
varying ages, including at least one elementary-school child. Arrange times to sit down with each person individually.
Ask your questions carefully, record their answers, and take notes during your interview. For example:
Question
Notes
1.) Do you feel comfortable hanging out with people
of a different skin color than yours? Why or why not?
Answer:
2.)
Use the ID Research Worksheet to keep track of your sources and the information you gather.
Internet
Search
Keywords
ID
unconscious bias, children’s perceptions of
race, racial profiling, stereotyping, gender bias
RESEARCH FRAMEWORK 4
EXAMINE BIAS: SURVEY QUESTIONS
Name
ID
Date
research worksheet
Research Question
Background
Sources Used (e.g., websites)
TM ® & © Scholastic Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Internet Search Keywords Used
Source Evaluation Information
Factors to Consider
Notes
Accuracy
• How up-to-date is the information?
• Are facts and dates included?
• Are opinions included?
Authority
• Who is responsible for the information?
• Can you trust the information?
Why or why not?
Point of View
• Is the source trying to influence you?
If so, how?
• Whose voices are included?
• Whose voices are excluded?
Your Evaluation
• Is this source useful in answering your research
question?
Why or why not?
ID
RESEARCH WORKSHEET
EVALUATE SOURCES