How can you address bias and subjectivity in e-learning research?

2 Choose appropriate research methods and tools

Research methods and tools are the techniques and instruments you use to collect and analyze data. Depending on your research question, purpose, and paradigm, you may choose different methods and tools, such as surveys, interviews, observations, tests, questionnaires, analytics, software, etc. However, you should be aware that each method and tool has its own strengths and weaknesses, and may introduce bias and subjectivity in your data collection and analysis. For example, surveys may suffer from low response rates, leading questions, or social desirability bias. Interviews may be influenced by the interviewer's tone, rapport, or interpretation. Observations may be affected by the observer's presence, attention, or coding scheme. Tests may be biased by the test design, administration, or scoring. Questionnaires may be subjective by the respondent's mood, memory, or honesty. Analytics may be skewed by the data source, quality, or processing. Software may be limited by the functionality, usability, or compatibility. Therefore, you should choose appropriate methods and tools that suit your research context, and justify your choices with sound rationale and evidence.

3 Use multiple sources and methods of data

Using multiple sources and methods of data is a strategy to enhance the validity and reliability of your research findings. It is also known as triangulation, which means comparing and cross-checking data from different sources, methods, perspectives, or theories. For example, you can triangulate data from surveys, interviews, and observations to verify and complement each other. You can also triangulate data from different types of participants, such as learners, instructors, designers, or administrators. By using multiple sources and methods of data, you can reduce bias and subjectivity by increasing the diversity and richness of your data, and by identifying and resolving any inconsistencies or discrepancies.

5 Reflect on your own role and influence in the research

Reflecting on your own role and influence in the research is a critical and continuous practice that helps you to examine and improve your research quality and integrity. As a researcher, you are not a neutral or detached observer, but an active and engaged participant, who brings your own background, experience, knowledge, skills, attitudes, and emotions to the research. Therefore, you should reflect on how your role and influence may affect the research process and outcomes, and how you can mitigate any potential bias and subjectivity. For example, you can reflect on your research motivation, objectives, questions, assumptions, values, methods, tools, data, interpretations, conclusions, recommendations, and implications. You can also use various methods of reflection, such as journals, diaries, logs, portfolios, feedback, peer review, or mentoring.

Bias and subjectivity are inevitable and unavoidable aspects of e-learning research, but they can be addressed and minimized by following some practical and ethical guidelines. By identifying your research paradigm, choosing appropriate research methods and tools, using multiple sources and methods of data, involving stakeholders and participants in the research process, and reflecting on your own role and influence in the research, you can enhance the quality and integrity of your e-learning research.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?