How to find accurate information and present it in a productive way
What's the issue?
One of the hallmarks of productive conversation is including fact-based arguments. When done correctly, bringing in outside evidence can add credibility to a conversation and can result in all participants leaving the discussion more informed than when they entered it. Unfortunately, this strategy is often used as a weapon rather than a tool - people present one-sided evidence that others refuse to acknowledge, or use facts as a way to establish intellectual superiority. This can cause conversations to shut down or erupt into conflict.
How do we find and use information appropriately, and how can we get people to listen?
How can I address this issue?
Finding Accurate Information
Obviously you want the information you present to be as accurate as possible. Otherwise, you could just be introducing a finding that exists solely to make your argument seem more legitimate - and others will see through this right away. Presenting false/misleading information causes you to lose credibility and can turn participants away. Be deliberate, thorough, and well-intentioned in your research:
If you come across information from sources that seem to be biased, try to find another source to confirm/fact check against.
In fact, always check information against multiple sources - it is important to confirm the reliability of the sources you're drawing from.
Try to find the most unbiased presentation of evidence that you can. The goal here should be to find info that can inform people who might not be aware of them already of the baseline facts of the issue, not to reinforce your own opinion.
Avoid sites with known liberal/conservative bias - or at least present a variety of sources.
Presenting it in a Productive Way
It is important to avoid using facts as weapons. Presenting even the most accurate, unbiased information in a confrontational rather than constructive manner can completely destroy any semblance of goodwill towards your audience. The trick here is to weave the information you found into your comment in a manner that is authoritative without being condescending:
Present your findings as a way to get everyone on the same page, not to show how educated/informed/better you are.
Acknowledge what you don't know or hadn't considered, and walk your fellow participants through how you informed yourself.
Recognize the complexity of issues, policies, etc. and explain what you can - but don't speak beyond your own understanding.
Always link your sources! People are more likely to agree with your conclusion if they are given the chance to arrive at it themselves.
Above all, it's important to remember that the goal of introducing a fact-based argument is NOT to end the discussion by "proving" you're right - it is to present what you have learned to your conversational partner(s) so that all participants have the same baseline knowledge.
Why is this a good skill/strategy to learn?
Shows goodwill toward your conversational partner(s)
Establishes ethos/credibility
Levels out the playing field of a conversation - the more informed all participants are, the more productive the discussion is
Agreeing on baseline facts is one of the best ways to establish common ground - one of the most important components of a productive conversation
Research
Kriplean, Travis. "Integrating on-demand fact-checking with public dialgue." Proceedings of the 17th ACM conference on Computer supported cooperative work & social computing: 1188-1199.
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