scholarly journals Sizing Up “Media Twitter”: Exploring Population Extent, Beats, and Utility of Social Media

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Wihbey ◽  
Kenneth Joseph ◽  
Daniela Rincon Reyes

This mixed-methods study explores which types of journalists are on social media and what forms of knowledge-related utility they find there for their practice. We leverage computational techniques to identify more than 166,000 journalist profiles, in English, on Twitter and to examine their beats, follower counts, and volume of activity. We pair this with findings from an original 2019 survey with policy-oriented journalists (N=450) who work on a variety of beats. Two-thirds of journalists believe social media tools help them frequently in their reporting work across many dimensions. Regression analysis finds significant associations with the technology and international affairs beats, as well as among younger journalists and those with a national audience. Our Twitter analysis, based on a dataset of 2.5 billion tweets collected in mid-2020, finds that the beats of politics, international affairs, and technology see the highest relative number of journalists on Twitter. The findings furnish a descriptive, quantitative picture of “Media Twitter” and speak to questions about social media’s place in journalism.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Foot ◽  
Amanda Leonhard ◽  
Jill Majeski ◽  
Lauren Zahn ◽  
Hsin H. Li ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. e323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie R Partridge ◽  
Anne C Grunseit ◽  
Patrick Gallagher ◽  
Becky Freeman ◽  
Blythe J O'Hara ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather M Brandt ◽  
Beth Sundstrom ◽  
Courtney M. Monroe ◽  
Gabrielle Turner-McGrievy ◽  
Chelsea Larsen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background College-aged women and men are at increased risk of acquiring human papillomavirus (HPV) and are considered an important catch-up population for HPV vaccination. Technology provides an attractive platform for HPV vaccination interventions. Limited research has explored technology-mediated HPV vaccination awareness interventions aimed at college students. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate a novel, technology-mediated, social media-based intervention to promote HPV vaccination among college students.Methods A controlled, quasi-experimental, mixed methods study examined the feasibility of a technology-based intervention among two undergraduate classes (n = 58) at a public university in the southeastern United States of America. Classes were randomized by coin flip to receive one of two cancer prevention programs (i.e., HPV vaccination [intervention] or healthy weight [control]). Both programs contained eight technology-mediated health promotion sessions, including weekly emails and private Facebook group posts. Participants completed a pre- and post-test web-based survey and submitted weekly qualitative reflections. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for quantitative data and thematic review for qualitative data.Results Knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccination improved among participants in the HPV vaccination intervention relative to those in the control condition. Participants (97%) interacted on Facebook by “liking” a post or comment or posting a comment. Participants reported that Facebook was easy to use and encouraged interaction, which contributed to the success of the intervention.Conclusion Participants demonstrated robust engagement and high treatment satisfaction. Objective measures and qualitative open-ended assessment of the intervention showed high levels of engagement with the electronic newsletters and Facebook group. This pilot study suggests that social media is an effective platform to reach college students with health promotion interventions and increase HPV vaccination awareness in this important catch-up population.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charoula Konstantia Nikolaou ◽  
Zoey Tay ◽  
Jodie Leu ◽  
Salome Antonette Rebello ◽  
Lisa Te Morenga ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Effective prevention at a young enough age is critical to halt the obesity epidemic. Mobile health (mHealth) apps would potentially reach large numbers at low-cost. While there is already a profusion of lifestyle apps, they are mostly non-evidence-based and evidently ineffective against rising obesity prevalence. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore preferences and usage of lifestyle apps among young people in 6 countries. METHODS A mixed methods study was conducted among young people aged 13 to 24 years residing in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Singapore, and New Zealand. Participants were recruited from Web advertisements on Facebook, asking for volunteers interested in mobile apps in general, not specific to lifestyle or health, to complete a short survey comprising 18 questions on demographics, weight gain, and mobile app preferences and then to join English-language online focus groups, which were held during 2017, in password-protected Web rooms, moderated by an experienced researcher. Descriptive statistics were carried out for the survey, and thematic analysis was applied to transcripts. RESULTS A total of 2285 young people (610 adolescents aged 13-17 years and 1675 young adults aged 18-24 years) responded and completed the survey, with 72.0% (1645) reported being concerned about weight gain for themselves or friends. Later, 807 young people (376 adolescents and 431 young adults) were selected based on age and country to participate in 12 online focus groups, with 719 young people completing. Analysis revealed 4 main themes: (1) feelings toward personal weight; (2) perception of lifestyle apps and desired content for weight gain prevention; (3) social media apps, lifestyle apps, and motivation for downloading and retaining; and (4) data safety and data usage and confidentiality. Young people are interested in evidence-based advice in programs incorporating their preferences. CONCLUSIONS Young people are commonly, and consistently across 6 countries, concerned about weight gain and obesity and would welcome evidence-based mHealth programs, provided the views of young people themselves are incorporated in the program content.


10.2196/11205 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. e11205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charoula Konstantia Nikolaou ◽  
Zoey Tay ◽  
Jodie Leu ◽  
Salome Antonette Rebello ◽  
Lisa Te Morenga ◽  
...  

Background Effective prevention at a young enough age is critical to halt the obesity epidemic. Mobile health (mHealth) apps would potentially reach large numbers at low-cost. While there is already a profusion of lifestyle apps, they are mostly non-evidence-based and evidently ineffective against rising obesity prevalence. Objective The aim of this study was to explore preferences and usage of lifestyle apps among young people in 6 countries. Methods A mixed methods study was conducted among young people aged 13 to 24 years residing in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Singapore, and New Zealand. Participants were recruited from Web advertisements on Facebook, asking for volunteers interested in mobile apps in general, not specific to lifestyle or health, to complete a short survey comprising 18 questions on demographics, weight gain, and mobile app preferences and then to join English-language online focus groups, which were held during 2017, in password-protected Web rooms, moderated by an experienced researcher. Descriptive statistics were carried out for the survey, and thematic analysis was applied to transcripts. Results A total of 2285 young people (610 adolescents aged 13-17 years and 1675 young adults aged 18-24 years) responded and completed the survey, with 72.0% (1645) reported being concerned about weight gain for themselves or friends. Later, 807 young people (376 adolescents and 431 young adults) were selected based on age and country to participate in 12 online focus groups, with 719 young people completing. Analysis revealed 4 main themes: (1) feelings toward personal weight; (2) perception of lifestyle apps and desired content for weight gain prevention; (3) social media apps, lifestyle apps, and motivation for downloading and retaining; and (4) data safety and data usage and confidentiality. Young people are interested in evidence-based advice in programs incorporating their preferences. Conclusions Young people are commonly, and consistently across 6 countries, concerned about weight gain and obesity and would welcome evidence-based mHealth programs, provided the views of young people themselves are incorporated in the program content.


2021 ◽  
pp. 106082652110520
Author(s):  
Richard J. T. Hamshaw ◽  
Jeff Gavin

This mixed method study explores importance of and influences on men’s grooming behaviors and appearance concerns. Survey data from 83 men based in the United Kingdom showed high social media users engaged in significantly more grooming behaviors than low users. Gay men viewed grooming as significantly more important and implemented more grooming habits than straight men. Qualitative responses yielded themes relating to standards set by traditional media and the blurring of boundaries between traditional and new forms of (social) media. Themes reflected the freedom and constraints of sexuality in relation to grooming as well as the management of attraction and status. More research is needed to consider the impact grooming pressures and influences might have on men in the future.


Author(s):  
Munikumar Ramasamy Venkatasalu ◽  
Sarah Chapman ◽  
Hannah Dunn ◽  
Rachel Broad ◽  
Aruna Subramanim

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