Understanding How Algorithmic and Cognitive Biases in Web Search Affect User Attitudes on Debated Topics
T.A. Draws (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)
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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.