A PARADIGM FOR MITIGATING BIAS IN QUALITATIVE SCHOLARLY RESEARCH REPORTS THROUGH THE CONTENT, CONCEPT, CONTEXT, LOGIC AND ANALYSIS (3CLA) METHODOLOGY

ABSTRACT:
The issue of concern in this presentation is bias in research reports. Bias is endemic in qualitative reports and in order to determine truth in any research investigation, bias needs to be controlled, minimised or mitigated. The truth determination is a process of verification of the authenticity, dependability, credibility, confirmability and transferability of the essence of observed reality in their relationships with interested observers.
In order to mitigate and minimise bias in research reports, the author uses the 3CLA methodology as a standard operating procedure (SOP) and tool in determining the truth about observed reality/phenomena. All phenomena/reality are labelled and identified by observers in codes or identifiers in the common language of the observers. This identification process is an admission that the observed phenomena are unknown or ‘No Name Brand’ items. However, in order to make sure the unknown phenomena/objects are identified to reduce confusion with other previously coded existent and identified objects, a label is then attached to the particular object under observation.
The labelling process depends on a number of factors, namely: The time, place of appearance, the functionality of the object, the structure, colour and the distinguishing characteristics. The attached labels are concepts as objects’ identifiers that must be investigated to enhance knowledge about perceived objects. The conceptualisation is a scholarly rigorous activity of lexicographers and can be depended on for reality depiction without personal idiosyncrasies or biases.
The lexicographers discipline serves as a reliable source of information for language users to objectively depict the meaning of concepts thus mitigating bias in phenomena articulation and interpretation.