Understanding How Algorithmic and Cognitive Biases in Web Search Affect User Attitudes on Debated Topics

Conference paper (2021)

Authors

T.A. Draws Web Information Systems - EEMCS
Research Group
Web Information Systems (EEMCS) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2021 T.A. Draws
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3404835.3463273
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Published Date

2021

Language

English

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Faculty

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Department

Software Technology

Research Group

Web Information Systems

Abstract

Web search increasingly provides a platform for users to seek advice on important personal decisions [6] but may be biased in several different ways [1]. One result of such biases is the search engine manipulation effect (SEME): when a list of search results relates to a debated topic (e.g., veganism) and promotes documents pertaining to a particular viewpoint (e.g., by ranking them higher), users tend to adopt this advantaged viewpoint [5]. However, the detection and mitigation of SEME are complicated by the current lack of empirical understanding of its underlying mechanisms. This dissertation aims to investigate which (and to what degree) algorithmic and cognitive biases play a role in SEME concerning debated topics.