Bias (noun.)

Definition: Prejudice in favor of or against one thing.

Also referenced as: Biased (adjective)

Related to: Alternative, Assumption, Edge, Factor, History, Misunderstandings, Reflection, Stakeholder, Subjective, Truth, User

Chapter 5: Measure the Distance | Page 114

Use worksheets to mine data from people.

Once you have a list of indicators to guide you, think about where the data could come from.

A worksheet can help you capture important details that only exist in people’s heads or personal records.

You can fill out a worksheet in a meeting or distribute copies of it and collect them after people have time to answer your questions. To choose the best way to gather the data, keep these considerations in mind:

  • Time: How much are you asking for, and how long might it take?
  • Access: How many sources are your respondents using to find answers? Who else might they need to contact?
  • Bias: Are they applying their own thoughts and preferences, or delivering data?

If your users or stakeholders need a significant amount of time, access, or thought to answer your questions, let them get back to you instead of trying to get through the worksheet together.