Use Language That Reduces Bias

Use Language That Reduces Bias

 Written by John W. Creswell in Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research page 277-278

A research report needs to be sensitive and respectful of people and places. Your study submitted to a dissertation or thesis committee, to a journal, or to a conference will be rejected if you are insensitive to individuals or cultural groups.

The APA has compiled information and developed guidelines about the use of writing strategies for reducing bias in the language of research reports (APA, 2010). These guidelines state using language that avoids demeaning attitudes, including biased assumptions, and awkward constructions that suggest bias because of gender, sexual orientation, racial or ethnic group, disability, or age. One helpful suggestion, developed by Maggio (1991), is to test your written research report for discriminatory language by:

a. Substituting your own group for groups being discussed
b. Imagining that you are a member of the group
c. Revising your material if you feel excluded or offended

Another approach is to spend time studying examples of appropriate language constructions.Determine how these constructions are inclusive and sensitive. You might also examine three guidelines for reducing bias in language recommended in the APA Style Manual (APA, 2010):

1. Describe individuals at an appropriate level of specifi city. This means that you need to use specifi c terms for persons that are accurate, clear, and free of bias. For example:
• Be specific:
Poor: man or woman 
Preferred: men and women
Poor: over 62 
Preferred: ages 63–70

2. Be sensitive to labels for individuals or groups. This means calling people names they prefer and acknowledging that preferences for names change over time. Writers should not use their own group as the standard against which to judge others. For example:

• Use adjectival forms.
Poor: the gays 
Preferred: gay men

• Put “people” first, followed by a descriptive phrase.
Poor: schizophrenics 
Preferred: people diagnosed with schizophrenia

• Use parallel nouns that do not promote one group as a standard or dominance over another group.
Poor: man and wife 
Preferred: husband and wife

3. Acknowledge participation of people in a study. You need to specifi cally identify participants based on the language they use. For example:
• Use impersonal terms.
Poor: subjects 
Preferred: participants
Poor: informants 
Preferred: participants

• Use nonstereotypical and unbiased adjectives.
Poor: woman doctor 
Preferred: doctor
Poor: nonaggressive women 
Preferred: nonaggressive participants

• Use specific cultural identity.
Poor: American Indians 
Preferred: Cherokees

• Put people first, not their disability.
Poor: mentally ill person 
Preferred: person with mental illness

Hope today's posting will be useful for all of us. Amin.