Many high schools expect students to work on and submit research-based assignments. The ability to conduct research and produce a coherent, meaningful report is considered an essential skill to prepare for the world beyond school.

A common problem that students encounter when working on such assignments is being stuck with a restricted view. Not drawing and presenting diverse insights puts your work at risk of being myopic. You may end up focusing on content that validates your point of view, and not considering other viewpoints or sections of society.

Here are some ideas to avoid this situation and develop balanced research reports.

1. Consult a Range of Neutral Sources 

While conducting secondary research for your project, consult a variety of sources. It will help you cover a wide range of associated content and let you glance at related conversations. These sources could be:

  • Peer-reviewed journals
  • Books
  • Blogs
  • Social media
  • Podcasts

However, it is imperative to ensure these sources are neutral and don’t subscribe to a certain propaganda. 

The issue of biased content has become rampant in this era of artificial intelligence (AI). The easy access to this technology has generated thousands of deepfakes and Gen AI media that propagandists tout as genuine.

Moreover, referring to biased content defeats the objective of attaining diverse perspectives. For example, science-backed organizations like NASA report the seriousness of climate change and cite human activity as its primary cause. On the other hand, you may find several online sources that mistrust scientific evidence and claim otherwise.

Generally, you need more than an observant eye to understand which sources are genuine. It is best to investigate the author’s credentials and check if they are an expert in the field. UNICEF offers a few tips for spotting misinformation, such as being skeptical of untrusted sources and steering clear of herd mentality.

2. Commit to Truth and Fairness in Your Research

An effective way to bring diversity into your research projects is to investigate the purported truth of any situation and assess whether it sounds fair. The modern world has many examples of discriminatory practices and ingrained biases against specific races and ethnicities. These prejudices can obscure the reality of a scenario and paint a synthetic picture.

For example, in 2024, PBS reported the rumors around Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. The alleged claims that these immigrants were hurting people’s pets led to serious unrest in the community. A researcher or journalist investigating the incident should examine the truth behind these allegations through primary research, interviews, and on-ground evidence.

Some online journalism programs are committed to fairness and freedom of speech, striving to inculcate these values in future professionals. These principles can help bring more representation to diverse communities and deliver accurate information on contemporary problems.

advancement of online learning has made it easier for working professionals to continue their education on their own time. In turn, it helps them apply real-life experiences to learning modules, such as the role of social media in circulating biased news. According to St. Bonaventure University, modern professionals must emphasize personal responsibility and ethical principles to tell impactful, accurate stories.

At the high school level, students can:

  • Take initiative to conduct interviews with family and friends, picking candidates who are knowledgeable about the subject. 
  • Engage in debates with others who have contrasting viewpoints.
  • Collect feedback on the subject (online or offline) to unearth new or unconsidered perspectives.

3. Befriend Technology to Mitigate Bias

You can also adopt technology to build an inclusive mindset that helps you consider diverse viewpoints for your project. 

For example, some free-to-use online tools allow you to analyze data, trends, and sentiments around a topic. Google Trends shows you popular search queries in a region in a visually attractive format. It is a straightforward and swift way to assess public opinion on any subject.

Technological awareness is also essential when researching subjects on social media. The risk of polarization is high in these times of political unrest. 

Meta’s announcement on community notes is a relevant example. The feature supposedly lets users flag content they find questionable. But the possibility of amplifying extreme opinions remains unaddressed. Students should view social media posts cautiously, using them for research to highlight a viewpoint and not confirm it.

At a more advanced level, tools like Textio can help people communicate in bias-free, constructive ways. It is popular among HR professionals who need to issue feedback or frame job descriptions. The Guardian reports that the UK Ministry of Defence also employs this system to balance defense job advertisements and reach more candidates.

Such tools also have potential for researchers who can parse content to check its underlying intent. The obtained information can indicate how society perceives and interacts with its diverse subsets.

Learning to hear from people unlike you or those with opinions different from yours can be a valuable life skill. It helps your written work become sharper and enhances your personality by exposing you to new frontiers and thought patterns.

Picking up the ability to consolidate diverse perspectives in high school will also help you in your professional life. You won’t be averse to expanding your social circles and letting everyone have a voice.