Detecting bias

Some sources are more objective than others. If you were exploring the conspiracy theories surrounding John F. Kennedy’s assassination, for example, you wouldn’t look to a supermarket tabloid, such as the National Enquirer, for answers.

Even publications that are considered reputable can be editorially biased. For example, USA Today, National Review, and Ms. are all credible sources, but they are also likely to interpret events quite differently from one another. If you are uncertain about a periodical’s special interests, consult Magazines for Libraries. To check for bias in a book, see Book Review Digest. A reference librarian can help you locate these resources.

Like publishers, some authors are more objective than others. If you have reason to believe that a writer is particularly biased, you will want to assess bias in his or her arguments with special care.

Evaluating sources for bias