This article examines how instructional texts, specifically how-to guides from wikiHow, differ based on their intended audience. The researchers conducted two case studies to investigate the qualitative features of texts written for specific audiences. They found that these guides, like other text genres, are subject to subtle biases and reflect disparate social norms and stereotypes. The study aims to raise awareness of these inequalities to address them in future work. The researchers also highlight the risk of perpetuating stereotypes and jeopardizing general accessibility, especially as the number of guides and articles for minority groups increases.
Publication date: 22 Sep 2023
Project Page: https://arxiv.org/abs/2309.12117
Paper: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2309.12117
