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Confirmation bias: methodological causes and a palliative response

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  • Adam Fforde

    (Victoria University)

Abstract

The paper advocates for changes to normative aspects of belief management in applied research. The central push is to argue for methodologically-required choice to include the possibility of adopting the view that a given dataset contains insufficient regularities for predictive theorising. This is argued to be related to how we should understand differences between predictive and non-predictive knowledges, contrasting Crombie and Nisbet. The proposed direction may also support management practices under conditions of uncertainty.

Suggested Citation

  • Adam Fforde, 2017. "Confirmation bias: methodological causes and a palliative response," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 51(5), pages 2319-2335, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:51:y:2017:i:5:d:10.1007_s11135-016-0389-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-016-0389-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Adam Fforde, 2005. "Persuasion: Reflections on economics, data, and the 'homogeneity assumption'," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(1), pages 63-91.
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    Cited by:

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