Skill Lab: Data & Algorithmic Bias

1 unit

In public health and other social sciences, research is conducted by scientists working in a biased system using data from human beings living in a biased society. As a result, how we measure, collect, manage, analyze, report, disseminate, and implement science all have the potential to reinforce or widen existing biases. This potential to worsen existing biases goes against the goals and aspirations of most social scientists who are often working to protect and improve lives. In this skill lab, students will be introduced to potential sources of data and algorithmic bias and some strategies for identifying, understanding, and avoiding data bias.