Citation Slant

Drawn into the stream
Of undefined illusion
Those diamond dreams
They can't disguise the truth
--Level 42

One of the more obvious expressions of confirmation bias involves citing sources that individuals believe lend more 'objectivity' to their side of an argument (e.g., a research study, 'expert' opinion) without explaining why those sources are legitimate and without bias while at the same time questioning or dismissing sources cited by those on the other side of the argument as obviously biased.

This practice provides the basis for Groseclose's research on media bias using 'slant quotients.'

For arguments to be taken seriously, individuals must demonstrate both why their cited sources are valid and why sources cited on the other side of the argument are not.

This is a tall order for most people.