Detecting misinformation in online social networks: A think-aloud study on user strategies

Although online social networks (OSN) facilitate the distribution of misinformation, one way of reducing the spread of false information in OSN is for users to detect it. Building on the framework of how audiences act to authenticate information, this study provides a user perspective on which strategies people use in evaluating information in OSN. In 15 qualitative interviews, participants were asked to think aloud while evaluating whether the content of posts from their own newsfeeds and of interviewer-supplied posts was true or false. Their answers were analyzed to determine which evaluation strategies they used. Analyzing participants’ thoughts as they evaluate information is more reliable than directly asking participants which strategies they think they use. Results show that users’ strategies in information evaluation are searching for more information, knowledge of account or content carries the most weight, and every detail needs to fit. A comparison of strategy usage for posts from befriended versus unknown personal accounts as well as for posts from followed news outlets versus not followed news outlets shows that for posts from followed news outlets, knowledge of the account was the most-used strategy followed by knowledge of the content. For other types of posts, strategy usage varied more widely and depended on each post. This highlights the importance and possible higher ecological validity of research on posts from news outlets that users actually follow, as users’ experiences with previous posts seem to play a major role in how they go about evaluating information in new posts.

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Can Health 2.0 Address Critical Healthcare Challenges? Insights from the Case of How Online Social Networks Can Assist in Combatting the Obesity Epidemic

Australasian Journal of Information Systems ◽

10.3127/ajis.v21i0.1357 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Janine Hacker ◽

Nilmini Wickramasinghe ◽

Carolin Durst

Keyword(s):

Social Networks ◽

Online Social Networks ◽

Design Science ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Food Selection ◽

Theoretical Perspective ◽

Obesity Epidemic ◽

Health 2.0 ◽

Online Social Media ◽

Health Related

One of the serious concerns in healthcare in this 21st century is obesity. While the causes of obesity are multifaceted, social networks have been identified as one of the most important dimensions of people's social environment that may influence the adoption of many behaviours, including health-promoting behaviours. In this article, we examine the possibility of harnessing the appeal of online social networks to address the obesity epidemic currently plaguing society. Specifically, a design science research methodology is adopted to design, implement and test the Health 2.0 application called “Calorie Cruncher”. The application is designed specifically to explore the influence of online social networks on individual’s health-related behaviour. In this regard, pilot data collected based on qualitative interviews indicate that online social networks may influence health-related behaviours in several ways. Firstly, they can influence people’s norms and value system that have an impact on their health-related behaviours. Secondly, social control and pressure of social connections may also shape health-related behaviours, and operate implicitly when people make food selection decisions. Thirdly, social relationships may provide emotional support. Our study has implications for research and practice. From a theoretical perspective, the article inductively identifies three factors that influence specific types of health outcomes in the context of obesity. From a practical perspective, the study underscores the benefits of adopting a design science methodology to design and implement a technology solution for a healthcare issue as well as the key role for online social media to assist with health and wellness management and maintenance.

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