I did my own research [No, you didn’t]

Understanding the true essence of research is critical in an era bombarded with information. The phrase “I did my own research” is often misused in today’s digital landscape, where access to data is just a click away. Genuine research is more than just watching a video or scrolling through articles; it’s a systematic, thorough investigation involving critical analysis of sources, understanding biases, and applying scientific methods. This concept is crucial in discerning fact from fiction, especially in an age where misinformation can spread unchecked.

Here’s what “I did my own research” mostly means:

I did1 my own2 research3

  1. watched
  2. someone else’s
  3. shitty YouTube video

Please stop saying you “researched it”

Please stop saying you “researched it”. You didn’t research anything and it’s highly probable that you don’t even know how to do so.

Did you compile a literature review and write abstracts on each article? Or better yet, did you collect a random sample of sources and perform independent probability statistics on the reported results? No?

Did you at least take each article, one by one, and look into the source (that would be the author, publisher, and funder), then critique the writing for logical fallacies, cognitive distortions, and plain inaccuracies?

Did you ask yourself why this source didn’t publish these particular results? Did you follow the trail of references and apply the same source of scrutiny to them? No?

Then you didn’t actually research anything. You read or watched a video, most likely with little to no objectivity. You came across something in your algorithm-manipulated feed, something that lived with your implicit biases and served your confirmation bias, and subconsciously applied your emotional filters and called it proof. Scary.

[The quote above is attributed to Linda Gamble Spadaro]

I did my own research - A conspiracy therorist, a man in black, is using two laptop computers, searchng Internet for conspiracies
“I did my own research” often misleads, implying a depth of inquiry not truly undertaken. Those claiming it typically skim the surface, browsing selectively, not delving into rigorous analysis or critical evaluation. This shallow approach, far from genuine research, tends to reinforce existing biases, overlooking the need for objective scrutiny and the complexities of scientific investigation. It’s a misconception of what true research entails, confusing quick searches with the thorough, methodical process that forms the backbone of real scientific inquiry. Photo by Azamat E on Unsplash
Carl Sagan

Related: Sagan Standard – Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Evidence

M. Özgür Nevres
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