ABSTRACT
This chapter illustrates some common biases and how to avoid them so that the daunting task of selecting and evaluating methods of instruction or intervention is slightly easier. Anecdotal evidence and confirmation bias form a strong adhesive bond and can stick ideas to people like superglue. Experimental psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger observed the confirmation bias and wrote extensively about its effect. It stems either from an error in self-judgement or from an error in judgement of others. In education, teachers often rate their abilities and knowledge much higher than actual tests of those abilities reveal. If teachers feel they are doing the best job possible yet are not familiar with what constitutes the best job possible, not only are they doing a disservice to struggling readers, but they are also not likely to seek change.
