​Reducing Bias


EXPLANATION AND EXAMPLE

Bias in writing refers to unfounded and unreasonably negative or positive treatment of a topic. APA mandates that authors avoid “perpetuating demeaning attitudes and biased assumptions about people in their writing” (pp. 70-71). Biases can be made regarding the treatment of gender, sexual orientation, racial/ethnic group, disability, and age. To avoid these biases, APA recommends adhering to three specific guidelines for reducing bias:

Guideline One: Describe at the Appropriate Level of Specificity 
To avoid biases, writers should choose language that accurately represents the topic or person(s) discussed. To avoid biases, follow these specification guidelines:
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Guideline Two: Be Sensitive to Labels
To avoid biases, APA recommends that writers be respectful in choosing labels and names for both individuals and groups. Here are three strategies for selecting labels:
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Guideline Three: Acknowledge Participation 
APA has specific rules regarding certain types of pronoun usage in attributions, gendered reference. 
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WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION 

For more information about formatting for APA Style, see pages 70-77 of the Publication Manual, Sixth Edition (Reducing Bias in Language 3.11, General Guidelines for Reducing Bias 3.11, Reducing Bias by Topic 3.11).

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 


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