The idea of ‘doing your own research’ is everywhere.
It’s frequently used dismissively in the comments sections, where someone has lost patience trying to argue their point, so they suggest it to the other party.
Or when we’re headed to a doctor’s appointment, already fully self-diagnosed with suggested medication protocols before we’ve even spoken to a professional because we did our own research.
Doing your own research has become the modern mantra for independent thought, particularly among smart people who refuse to be told what to think. As information is abundant and our trust in authority diminishes, we can (and should) leverage our curiosity to find our own information.
However, we can also drive ourselves a little nuts in the process, feeling like we must by now have a PhD in our latest interest, from fertility to nutrition, politics to the pay gap.
While curiosity and questioning are absolutely vital, we have to be very careful to maintain our ‘defensive thinking’ and healthy scepticism while researching topics we care about.
The pitfalls:
Confirmation bias: Our brains are wired to seek information that confirms our existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence. This is amplified by algorithms that feed us more of what we’ve already engaged with, and everyone is susceptible to it.
The streetlight effect: We naturally gravitate toward information that’s easy to find and understand, rather than what’s most accurate or relevant. This bias is the “streetlight effect”, like searching for lost keys under a lamppost simply because that’s where the light is.
The AI factor: With more AI-generated content than ever with its credible, authoritative tone and ease of access at the top of google results, we still need to dig in to the sources and check if they are accurate and relevant.
Algorithm gaming: Most media feeds serve up “research” optimised for engagement rather than accuracy. Strong opinions grab attention. The result of this is cherry picked statistics, lacking context and nuance, which serve the argument as opposed to good logic.
Even the smartest people can fall into these traps. The more educated we are, the better we become at rationalising information that supports our existing positions.
So what can we do?
Engage in debate.
Just as financial advisors recommend diversifying investments, smart women diversify their information sources.
Philosopher Agnes Callard advocates for not keeping your thoughts to yourself, but thinking with others so you can challenge each other’s ideas. We have to test our evidence in reality to see if it stands up to scrutiny.
Ask your ‘opposition’ or someone who thinks differently from you what they would suggest reading, or why they believe what they do. It will help you step out of your algorithmic echo chamber, and expose you to what they find convincing.
It’ll also test if they have actually based their beliefs on evidence or just ‘gut feel’. But there’s often a story and a logic behind why people think the way they do, and understanding those helps you understand them as a person.
Knowledge + Experience = Wisdom.
If we’re just online researching and not testing ideas against reality, we’re missing a golden opportunity. This is also where we need to be open minded about professional opinion. Nuanced, complex topics like legal advice benefit enormously from real world experience so while doing our own research can be helpful, it’s still really worthwhile to engage an expert and listen to their perspective.
Know what you don’t know.
Before diving into research, take a moment to map out what you actually know versus what you think you know on a topic. This framework helps identify your blind spots:
- Known knowns: Your areas of expertise
- Unknown knowns: Background knowledge or context you may have forgotten
- Known unknowns: Gaps you’re aware of and can research
- Unknown unknowns: The dangerous blind spots you don’t even know exist
It’s crucial to check AI output in particular against your existing knowledge. If we know a topic well, it’s easy to spot errors and see the nuance, whereas we’re more likely to get duped when we’re in unfamiliar territory.
If you’re not sure, experiment with using AI to question your answers, as well as answer your questions. With a thoughtful prompt it can get encourage you to think in a whole new way.
Questions worth asking: Instead of diving straight into “research mode,” try starting with these questions:
- What outcome am I hoping for, and how might that be biasing what information I pay attention to?
- Who benefits if I believe this information, and who benefits if I don’t?
- Am I seeking information to make a better decision, or to feel better about a decision I’ve already made?
The bottom line
True empowerment comes from asking better questions, not just finding faster answers. It requires developing the intellectual humility to recognise our limitations, the critical thinking skills to navigate complexity, and the courage to remain curious even when it’s uncomfortable.
The next time someone tells you to “do your own research,” remember to take a step back to reflect on the purpose and approach before you dive in.
What’s one assumption you hold that you’ve never actually tested? Start your research journey there.