151
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Pickles K, Cvejic E, Nickel B, Copp T, Bonner C, Leask J, Ayre J, Batcup C, Cornell S, Dakin T, Dodd RH, Isautier JMJ, McCaffery KJ. COVID-19 Misinformation Trends in Australia: Prospective Longitudinal National Survey. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e23805. [PMID: 33302250 PMCID: PMC7800906 DOI: 10.2196/23805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Misinformation about COVID-19 is common and has been spreading rapidly across the globe through social media platforms and other information systems. Understanding what the public knows about COVID-19 and identifying beliefs based on misinformation can help shape effective public health communications to ensure efforts to reduce viral transmission are not undermined. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with COVID-19 misinformation in Australia and their changes over time. METHODS This prospective, longitudinal national survey was completed by adults (18 years and above) across April (n=4362), May (n=1882), and June (n=1369) 2020. RESULTS Stronger agreement with misinformation was associated with younger age, male gender, lower education level, and language other than English spoken at home (P<.01 for all). After controlling for these variables, misinformation beliefs were significantly associated (P<.001) with lower levels of digital health literacy, perceived threat of COVID-19, confidence in government, and trust in scientific institutions. Analyses of specific government-identified misinformation revealed 3 clusters: prevention (associated with male gender and younger age), causation (associated with lower education level and greater social disadvantage), and cure (associated with younger age). Lower institutional trust and greater rejection of official government accounts were associated with stronger agreement with COVID-19 misinformation. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study highlight important gaps in communication effectiveness, which must be addressed to ensure effective COVID-19 prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tessa Copp
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Julie Ayre
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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152
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Koterwas A, Dwojak-Matras A, Kalinowska K. Dialogical teaching of research integrity: an overview of selected methods. Facets (Ott) 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2021-0045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This communication discusses the dialogical methods of teaching research integrity and ethics as a part of the positive integrity trend focused on supporting ethical behaviour. The aim of this paper is to offer a brief overview of the selected dialogical strategies based on cases that can be successfully implemented in teaching ethical research and when sharing experiences on good scientific practice. We describe such methods as: storytelling, rotatory role playing, and the fishbowl debate, along with the “Dilemma Game” tool, “ConscienceApp” performance, and a flipped classroom idea. These theoretical considerations are based on research conducted as part of a European project under the Horizon 2020 programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Koterwas
- Educational Research Institute (IBE), Warsaw Poland
- The Maria Grzegorzewska University, Warsaw Poland
| | | | - Katarzyna Kalinowska
- Educational Research Institute (IBE), Warsaw Poland
- Collegium Civitas, Warsaw Poland
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153
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MacDonald NE, Comeau J, Dubé È, Graham J, Greenwood M, Harmon S, McElhaney J, Meghan McMurtry C, Middleton A, Steenbeek A, Taddio A. Royal society of Canada COVID-19 report: Enhancing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Canada. Facets (Ott) 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2021-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccine acceptance exists on a continuum from a minority who strongly oppose vaccination, to the “moveable middle” heterogeneous group with varying uncertainty levels about acceptance or hesitancy, to the majority who state willingness to be vaccinated. Intention for vaccine acceptance varies over time. COVID-19 vaccination decisions are influenced by many factors including knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs; social networks; communication environment; COVID-19 community rate; cultural and religious influences; ease of access; and the organization of health and community services and policies. Reflecting vaccine acceptance complexity, the Royal Society of Canada Working Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance developed a framework with four major factor domains that influence vaccine acceptance (people, communities, health care workers; immunization knowledge; health care and public health systems including federal/provincial/territorial/indigenous factors)—each influencing the others and all influenced by education, infection control, extent of collaborations, and communications about COVID-19 immunization. The Working Group then developed 37 interrelated recommendations to support COVID vaccine acceptance nested under four categories of responsibility: 1. People and Communities, 2. Health Care Workers, 3. Health Care System and Local Public Health Units, and 4. Federal/Provincial/Territorial/Indigenous. To optimize outcomes, all must be engaged to ensure co-development and broad ownership.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noni E. MacDonald
- Department of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University and IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Canada
| | - Jeannette Comeau
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Dalhousie University and IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Canada
| | - Ève Dubé
- Scientific Group on Immunization at the Quebec National Institute of Public Health, Québec, Canada
- Department of Anthropology, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Janice Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 2Y9, Canada
| | - Margo Greenwood
- School of Education, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada
- Department of First Nations Studies, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada
- National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada
| | - Shawn Harmon
- Department of Pediatrics, Technoscience and Regulation Research Unit, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Janet McElhaney
- Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - C. Meghan McMurtry
- Pediatric Pain, Health and Communication Lab (PPHC), University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Clinical and Health Psychologist with the Pediatric Chronic Pain Program, McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Alan Middleton
- Schulich Executive Education Centre, York University, North York, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Audrey Steenbeek
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Anna Taddio
- Clinical Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
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154
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Silva H. The historic success of vaccination and the global challenge posed by inaccurate knowledge in social networks. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2021; 104:213-214. [PMID: 32943248 PMCID: PMC7487075 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2020.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
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155
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Moreland HR, De Santo EM, MacDonald BH. Understanding the role of information in marine policy development: establishing a coastal marine protected area in Nova Scotia, Canada. Facets (Ott) 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2020-0109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Canada has expanded its marine protected area (MPA) coverage in line with the Aichi Biodiversity Target of protecting 10% of its marine territory by 2020. In 2018, a consultation process was launched to designate an Area of Interest surrounding the Eastern Shore Islands area off the coast of Nova Scotia, as the potential 15th Oceans Act MPA in Canada ( DFO 2021a ). This region has a fraught history with external conservation interventions and, consequently, there was a significant level of local mistrust in the process. This study explored the role of information in the consultation process and how it interplayed with the historical context, political pressures, trust, and mistrust among stakeholders and rightsholders. Drawing on interviews, a detailed desktop analysis, and participant observation at consultation meetings, this paper describes what worked well and what could be improved with respect to the sources of information used and the channels through which stakeholders and rightsholders accessed it. This case study demonstrates that while preferences for information sources and channels are context specific and varied, they are inherently personal and influenced by shared histories, trust, and individual beliefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hali R. Moreland
- Marine Affairs Program, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M. De Santo
- Department of Earth and Environment, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA. 17604, USA
| | - Bertrum H. MacDonald
- School of Information Management, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. B3H 4R2, Canada
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156
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Williams Kirkpatrick A. The spread of fake science: Lexical concreteness, proximity, misinformation sharing, and the moderating role of subjective knowledge. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2021; 30:55-74. [PMID: 33103578 DOI: 10.1177/0963662520966165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The spread of science misinformation harms efforts to mitigate threats like climate change or coronavirus. Construal-level theory suggests that mediated messages can prime psychological proximity to threats, having consequences for behavior. Via two MTurk experiments, I tested a serial mediation process model predicting misinformation sharing from lexical concreteness, through psychological proximity and perceived threat. In Study 1, concrete misinformation primed psychological proximity which, in turn, increased perceived threat. Perceived threat then increased the likelihood that misinformation would be shared. Source credibility was also shown to positively influence misinformation sharing. Study 2 advanced this by showing this process was moderated by subjective knowledge. Specifically, the effect of perceived threat on misinformation sharing was stronger for those with higher subjective knowledge. Furthermore, the indirect effect of lexical concreteness on misinformation sharing was stronger for those with higher subjective knowledge. Results and limitations are discussed within the lens of construal-level theory and science communication.
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157
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Massarani L, Waltz I, Leal T, Modesto M. Narrativas sobre vacinação em tempos de fake news: uma análise de conteúdo em redes sociais. SAUDE E SOCIEDADE 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/s0104-12902021200317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Resumo A vacina é um recurso fundamental para a promoção da saúde pública. Entretanto, uma crescente hesitação vacinal tem sido associada à desinformação em redes sociais. Nesse contexto, é importante investigar que informações sobre a vacina têm sido mais consumidas nesses espaços. Neste artigo, analisamos os cem links contendo a palavra “vacina” que geraram mais engajamento nas redes sociais entre 22 de maio de 2018 e 21 de maio de 2019, utilizando uma versão adaptada do protocolo de análise de conteúdo desenvolvido pela Rede Ibero-Americana de Capacitação e Monitoramento em Jornalismo Científico. O objetivo é investigar os discursos, enquadramentos e emissores que mais mobilizaram o debate público on-line. Analisando as características gerais, os temas, as narrativas, o tratamento e os atores desses conteúdos, concluímos que, apesar de, em sua maioria, veicularem uma visão positiva em relação às vacinas e trazerem dados verificáveis, existem lacunas na capacidade de sanar possíveis dúvidas quanto às vacinas, bem como em esclarecer de que forma a vacinação deve ser inserida no cotidiano de cuidados com a saúde das pessoas.
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158
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The Role of Twitter During the COVID-19 Crisis: A Systematic Literature Review. ACTA INFORMATICA PRAGENSIA 2020. [DOI: 10.18267/j.aip.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
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159
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Hendriks F, Mayweg-Paus E, Felton M, Iordanou K, Jucks R, Zimmermann M. Constraints and Affordances of Online Engagement With Scientific Information-A Literature Review. Front Psychol 2020; 11:572744. [PMID: 33362638 PMCID: PMC7759725 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.572744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Many urgent problems that societies currently face—from climate change to a global pandemic—require citizens to engage with scientific information as members of democratic societies as well as to solve problems in their personal lives. Most often, to solve their epistemic aims (aims directed at achieving knowledge and understanding) regarding such socio-scientific issues, individuals search for information online, where there exists a multitude of possibly relevant and highly interconnected sources of different perspectives, sometimes providing conflicting information. The paper provides a review of the literature aimed at identifying (a) constraints and affordances that scientific knowledge and the online information environment entail and (b) individuals' cognitive and motivational processes that have been found to hinder, or conversely, support practices of engagement (such as critical information evaluation or two-sided dialogue). Doing this, a conceptual framework for understanding and fostering what we call online engagement with scientific information is introduced, which is conceived as consisting of individual engagement (engaging on one's own in the search, selection, evaluation, and integration of information) and dialogic engagement (engaging in discourse with others to interpret, articulate and critically examine scientific information). In turn, this paper identifies individual and contextual conditions for individuals' goal-directed and effortful online engagement with scientific information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Hendriks
- Institute for Psychology in Education and Instruction, Department of Psychology and Sport Studies, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Mayweg-Paus
- Institute of Educational Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin, Einstein Center Digital Future, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mark Felton
- Department of Teacher Education, Lurie College of Education, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States
| | - Kalypso Iordanou
- School of Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Larnaka, Cyprus
| | - Regina Jucks
- Institute for Psychology in Education and Instruction, Department of Psychology and Sport Studies, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Maria Zimmermann
- Institute of Educational Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin, Einstein Center Digital Future, Berlin, Germany
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160
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Garry M, Hope L, Zajac R, Verrall AJ, Robertson JM. Contact Tracing: A Memory Task With Consequences for Public Health. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2020; 16:175-187. [PMID: 33301692 DOI: 10.1177/1745691620978205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the battle for control of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), we have few weapons. Yet contact tracing is among the most powerful. Contact tracing is the process by which public-health officials identify people, or contacts, who have been exposed to a person infected with a pathogen or another hazard. For all its power, though, contact tracing yields a variable level of success. One reason is that contact tracing's ability to break the chain of transmission is only as effective as the proportion of contacts who are actually traced. In part, this proportion turns on the quality of the information that infected people provide, which makes human memory a crucial part of the efficacy of contact tracing. Yet the fallibilities of memory, and the challenges associated with gathering reliable information from memory, have been grossly underestimated by those charged with gathering it. We review the research on witnesses and investigative interviewing, identifying interrelated challenges that parallel those in contact tracing, as well as approaches for addressing those challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ayesha J Verrall
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington
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161
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Cheng Y, Luo Y. The presumed influence of digital misinformation: examining US public’s support for governmental restrictions versus corrective action in the COVID-19 pandemic. ONLINE INFORMATION REVIEW 2020. [DOI: 10.1108/oir-08-2020-0386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeInformed by the third-person effects (TPE) theory, this study aims to analyze restrictive versus corrective actions in response to the perceived TPE of misinformation on social media in the USA.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted an online survey among 1,793 adults in the USA in early April. All participants were randomly enrolled in this research through a professional survey company. The structural equation modeling via Amos 20 was adopted for hypothesis testing.FindingsResults indicated that individuals also perceived that others were more influenced by misinformation about COVID-19 than they were. Further, such a perceptual gap was associated with public support for governmental restrictions and corrective action. Negative affections toward health misinformation directly affected public support for governmental restrictions rather than corrective action. Support for governmental restrictions could further facilitate corrective action.Originality/valueThis study examined the applicability of TPE theory in the context of digital health misinformation during a unique global crisis. It explored the significant role of negative affections in influencing restrictive and corrective actions. Practically, this study offered implications for information and communication educators and practitioners.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-08-2020-0386
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162
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Barua Z, Barua S, Aktar S, Kabir N, Li M. Effects of misinformation on COVID-19 individual responses and recommendations for resilience of disastrous consequences of misinformation. PROGRESS IN DISASTER SCIENCE 2020; 8:100119. [PMID: 34173443 PMCID: PMC7373041 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdisas.2020.100119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The proliferation of misinformation on social media platforms is faster than the spread of Corona Virus Diseases (COVID-19) and it can generate hefty deleterious consequences on health amid a disaster like COVID-19. Drawing upon research on the stimulus-response theory (hypodermic needle theory) and the resilience theory, this study tested a conceptual framework considering general misinformation belief, conspiracy belief, and religious misinformation belief as the stimulus; and credibility evaluations as resilience strategy; and their effects on COVID-19 individual responses. Using a self-administered online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study obtained 483 useable responses and after test, finds that all-inclusive, the propagation of misinformation on social media undermines the COVID-19 individual responses. Particularly, credibility evaluation of misinformation strongly predicts the COVID-19 individual responses with positive influences and religious misinformation beliefs as well as conspiracy beliefs and general misinformation beliefs come next and influence negatively. The findings and general recommendations will help the public, in general, to be cautious about misinformation, and the respective authority of a country, in particular, for initiating proper safety measures about disastrous misinformation to protect the public health from being exploited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zapan Barua
- Department of Marketing, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Sajib Barua
- Department of Marketing, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Salma Aktar
- Department of Marketing, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Najma Kabir
- Department of Marketing, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Mingze Li
- School of Management, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China
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163
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Aleinikov AV, Maltseva DA, Sunami AN. Information Management of the Risks and Threats of the Covid-19 Pandemic. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING 2020. [PMCID: PMC7685189 DOI: 10.3103/s0147688220030090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study examines information risk management models in the context of the pandemic crisis, the mechanisms of circulation of information about COVID-19, and the issues about the relationship between risk perception and information trust, which are the key factors of successful response to a pandemic. The article focuses on the basic information strategies related to risk reflections on the coronavirus pandemic.
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164
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Abeliuk A, Huang Z, Ferrara E, Lerman K. Predictability limit of partially observed systems. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20427. [PMID: 33235260 PMCID: PMC7687903 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77091-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Applications from finance to epidemiology and cyber-security require accurate forecasts of dynamic phenomena, which are often only partially observed. We demonstrate that a system's predictability degrades as a function of temporal sampling, regardless of the adopted forecasting model. We quantify the loss of predictability due to sampling, and show that it cannot be recovered by using external signals. We validate the generality of our theoretical findings in real-world partially observed systems representing infectious disease outbreaks, online discussions, and software development projects. On a variety of prediction tasks-forecasting new infections, the popularity of topics in online discussions, or interest in cryptocurrency projects-predictability irrecoverably decays as a function of sampling, unveiling predictability limits in partially observed systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Abeliuk
- Information Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, CA, 90292, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Zhishen Huang
- University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80302, USA
| | - Emilio Ferrara
- Information Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, CA, 90292, USA.
| | - Kristina Lerman
- Information Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, CA, 90292, USA.
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165
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Lenda M, Skórka P, Kuszewska K, Moroń D, Bełcik M, Baczek Kwinta R, Janowiak F, Duncan DH, Vesk PA, Possingham HP, Knops JMH. Misinformation, internet honey trading and beekeepers drive a plant invasion. Ecol Lett 2020; 24:165-169. [PMID: 33201583 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Biological invasions are a major human induced global change that is threatening global biodiversity by homogenizing the world's fauna and flora. Species spread because humans have moved species across geographical boundaries and have changed ecological factors that structure ecosystems, such as nitrogen deposition, disturbance, etc. Many biological invasions are caused accidentally, as a byproduct of human travel and commerce driven product shipping. However, humans also have spread many species intentionally because of perceived benefits. Of interest is the role of the recent exponential growth in information exchange via internet social media in driving biological invasions. To date, this has not been examined. Here, we show that for one such invasive species, goldenrod, social networks spread misleading and incomplete information that is enhancing the spread of goldenrod invasions into new environments. We show that the notion of goldenrod honey as a "superfood" with unsupported healing properties is driving a demand that leads beekeepers to produce goldenrod honey. Social networks provide a forum for such information exchange and this is leading to further spread of goldenrod in many countries where goldenrod is not native, such as Poland. However, this informal social information exchange ignores laws that focus on preventing the further spread of invasive species and the strong negative effects that goldenrod has on native ecosystems, including floral resources that negatively impact honeybee performance. Thus, scientifically unsupported information on "superfoods" such as goldenrod honey that is disseminated through social internet networks has real world consequences such as increased goldenrod invasions into novel geographical regions which decreases native biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Lenda
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld., Australia.,Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, Kraków, 31-120, Poland
| | - Piotr Skórka
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, Kraków, 31-120, Poland
| | - Karolina Kuszewska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, Kraków, 30-387, Poland
| | - Dawid Moroń
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, Kraków, 31-016, Poland
| | - Michał Bełcik
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, Kraków, 31-120, Poland
| | - Renata Baczek Kwinta
- Department of Plant Physiology, Breeding and Seed Science, Kraków, ul. Podłużna, Kraków, 3, 30-239, Poland
| | - Franciszek Janowiak
- The Franciszek Górski Institute of Plant Physiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Niezapominajek 21, Kraków, 30-239, Poland
| | - David H Duncan
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., 3010, Australia
| | - Peter A Vesk
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., 3010, Australia
| | - Hugh P Possingham
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld., Australia
| | - Johannes M H Knops
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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166
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Hu Z, Yang Z, Li Q, Zhang A. The COVID-19 Infodemic: Infodemiology Study Analyzing Stigmatizing Search Terms. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e22639. [PMID: 33156807 PMCID: PMC7674145 DOI: 10.2196/22639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the context of the COVID-19 infodemic, the global profusion of monikers and hashtags for COVID-19 have found their way into daily communication and contributed to a backlash against China and the Chinese people. OBJECTIVE This study examines public engagement in crisis communication about COVID-19 during the early epidemic stage and the practical strategy of social mobilization to mitigate the infodemic. METHODS We retrieved the unbiased values of the top-ranked search phrases between December 30, 2019, and July 15, 2020, which normalized the anonymized, categorized, and aggregated samples from Google Search data. This study illustrates the most-searched terms, including the official COVID-19 terms, the stigmatized terms, and other controls, to measure the collective behavioral propensities to stigmatized terms and to explore the global reaction to the COVID-19 epidemic in the real world. We calculated the ratio of the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases to the regional population as the cumulative rate (R) of a specific country or territory and calculated the Gini coefficient (G) to measure the collective heterogeneity of crowd behavior. RESULTS People around the world are using stigmatizing terms on Google Search, and these terms were used earlier than the official names. Many stigmatized monikers against China (eg, "Wuhan pneumonia," G=0.73; "Wuhan coronavirus," G=0.60; "China pneumonia," G=0.59; "China coronavirus," G=0.52; "Chinese coronavirus," G=0.50) had high collective heterogeneity of crowd behavior between December 30, 2019, and July 15, 2020, while the official terms "COVID-19" (G=0.44) and "SARS-CoV-2" (G=0.42) have not become de facto standard usages. Moreover, the pattern of high consistent usage was observed in 13 territories with low cumulative rates (R) between January 16 and July 15, 2020, out of 58 countries and territories that have reported confirmed cases of COVID-19. In the scientific literature, multifarious naming practices may have provoked unintended negative impacts by stigmatizing Chinese people. The World Health Organization; the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; and the media initiated campaigns for fighting back against the COVID-19 infodemic with the same mission but in diverse voices. CONCLUSIONS Infodemiological analysis can articulate the collective propensities to stigmatized monikers across search behaviors, which may reflect the collective sentiment of backlash against China and Chinese people in the real world. The full-fledged official terms are expected to fight back against the resilience of negative perceptual bias amid the COVID-19 epidemic. Such official naming efforts against the infodemic should be met with a fair share of identification in scientific conventions and sociocultural paradigms. As an integral component of preparedness, appropriate nomenclatures should be duly assigned to the newly identified coronavirus, and social mobilization in a uniform voice is a priority for combating the next infodemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Hu
- School of Computer and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhongliang Yang
- Beijing National Research Center for Information Science and Technology (BNRist), Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Li
- Beijing National Research Center for Information Science and Technology (BNRist), Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - An Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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167
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Young JC, Boyd B, Yefimova K, Wedlake S, Coward C, Hapel R. The role of libraries in misinformation programming: A research agenda. JOURNAL OF LIBRARIANSHIP AND INFORMATION SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/0961000620966650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Misinformation, or fake news, has exploded across social media platforms and communities over the past few years, with serious social and political implications. Many library practitioners and organizations have argued that libraries can and should play a central role in educating the public about this emerging issue. However, serious gaps exist in understanding how libraries can create effective community education about misinformation. This article maps out a research agenda that researchers and public library practitioners can use to make libraries more effective sites for combatting misinformation. This research agenda is grounded in analysis of interviews and workshop discussions of public library staff from Washington State. This analysis reveals three areas in which academic partners can support public libraries: through the design of effective programming, through the development of tools that help librarians keep up-to-date on relevant misinformation, and through interventions in the political and economic contexts that hamper the freedom of librarians to engage controversial topics. Our hope is that this article can help to spur more expansive library and information science research across these areas and become the beginning of a longer and more empirically grounded conversation about how public libraries can achieve their potential for combating misinformation.
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168
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Cifuentes-Faura J. Infodemics during COVID-19: resources and recommendations to combat it. ONLINE INFORMATION REVIEW 2020. [DOI: 10.1108/oir-08-2020-0352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeThis paper attempts to explain the infodemics that the coronavirus crisis has generated through the dissemination of fake news, which can lead people and institutions to make decisions that end up being counterproductive to their own interests or to the needs of society.Design/methodology/approachThe existing literature in the field of information has been reviewed, as well as the fake news that has been spread during the COVID-19 crisis. Based on this review, a series of guidelines have been drawn up to enable citizens to detect the false information that is being disseminated.FindingsThis paper has established a series of recommendations to be followed by any communicator, journalist or person who creates content and information to promote effective communication during this crisis. It concludes that the role of the media is key in trying to reduce the spread of fake news.Originality/valueThis paper reflects the need to combat fake news originating during the pandemic through effective communication following a series of guidelines.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-08-2020-0352
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169
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Latkin C, Dayton L, Strickland JC, Colon B, Rimal R, Boodram B. An Assessment of the Rapid Decline of Trust in US Sources of Public Information about COVID-19. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2020; 25:764-773. [PMID: 33719879 PMCID: PMC7968001 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2020.1865487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
We conducted a longitidinal assessment of 806 respondents in March, 2020 in the US to examine the trustworthiness of sources of information about COVID-19. Respondents were recontacted after four months. Information sources included mainstream media, state health departments, the CDC, the White House, and a well-known university. We also examined how demographics, political partisanship, and skepticism about COVID-19 were associated with the perceived trustworthiness of information sources and decreased trustworthiness over time. At baseline, the majority of respondants reported high trust in COVID-19 information from state health departments (75.6%), the CDC (80.9%), and a university (Johns Hopkins, 81.1%). Mainstream media was trusted by less than half the respondents (41.2%), and the White House was the least trusted source (30.9%). At the 4-month follow-up, a significant decrease in trustworthiness in all five sources of COVID-19 information was observed. The most pronounced reductions were from the CDC and the White House. In multivariate analyses, factors associated with rating the CDC, state health department, and a university as trustworthy sources of COVID-19 information were political party affiliation, level of education, and skepticism about COVID-19. The most consistent predictor of decreased trust was political party affiliation, with Democrats as compared to Republicans less likely to report decreased trust across all sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Latkin
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg
School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Lauren Dayton
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg
School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Justin C. Strickland
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine
| | - Brian Colon
- Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins
University
| | - Rajiv Rimal
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg
School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Basmattee Boodram
- Division of Community Health Sciences, University of
Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, Chicago, IL
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170
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Ruzza M, Tiozzo B, Rizzoli V, Giaretta M, D'Este L, Ravarotto L. Food Risks on the Web: Analysis of the 2017 Fipronil Alert in the Italian Online Information Sources. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2020; 40:2071-2092. [PMID: 32557616 DOI: 10.1111/risa.13533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In the summer of 2017, several European Union Member States were involved in a food alert caused by the presence of fipronil pesticide residues in chicken eggs. The food alert became a major news and received wide coverage both in the mass media and on the Internet. This article describes a study that analyzed how the Italian online information sources represented the fipronil alert, using web monitoring techniques and both manual and automatic content analysis methods. The results indicate that the alert was amplified because general news media could represent the alert within the frame of a political scandal, and because different social actors exploited the case. However, online information sources correctly communicated that the risks for consumers were low, reporting mainly what was officially communicated by the Italian health authorities. The study provides empirical evidence on how the online information sources represent food risks and food alerts and offers useful indications for health authorities in charge of the public communication of food risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Ruzza
- Department of Health Awareness and Communication, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, Legnaro, PD, 35020, Italy
| | - Barbara Tiozzo
- Department of Health Awareness and Communication, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, Legnaro, PD, 35020, Italy
| | - Valentina Rizzoli
- Department of Health Awareness and Communication, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, Legnaro, PD, 35020, Italy
| | - Mosé Giaretta
- Department of Health Awareness and Communication, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, Legnaro, PD, 35020, Italy
| | - Laura D'Este
- IT Innovation Laboratory, Department of Epidemiology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, Legnaro, PD, 35020, Italy
| | - Licia Ravarotto
- Department of Health Awareness and Communication, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, Legnaro, PD, 35020, Italy
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Driscoll DA, Garrard GE, Kusmanoff AM, Dovers S, Maron M, Preece N, Pressey RL, Ritchie EG. Consequences of information suppression in ecological and conservation sciences. Conserv Lett 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Don A. Driscoll
- Academic Freedom Working Group Ecological Society of Australia Windsor Australia
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Geelong Melbourne Burwood Campus Burwood Australia
| | - Georgia E. Garrard
- Academic Freedom Working Group Ecological Society of Australia Windsor Australia
- ICON Science, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies RMIT University Melbourne Australia
| | - Alexander M. Kusmanoff
- Academic Freedom Working Group Ecological Society of Australia Windsor Australia
- ICON Science, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies RMIT University Melbourne Australia
| | - Stephen Dovers
- Academic Freedom Working Group Ecological Society of Australia Windsor Australia
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Canberra Australia
| | - Martine Maron
- Academic Freedom Working Group Ecological Society of Australia Windsor Australia
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Australia
| | - Noel Preece
- Academic Freedom Working Group Ecological Society of Australia Windsor Australia
- College of Science & Engineering, Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science James Cook University Cairns Australia
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin Australia
| | - Robert L. Pressey
- Academic Freedom Working Group Ecological Society of Australia Windsor Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Australia
| | - Euan G. Ritchie
- Academic Freedom Working Group Ecological Society of Australia Windsor Australia
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Geelong Melbourne Burwood Campus Burwood Australia
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172
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Raman G, AlShebli B, Waniek M, Rahwan T, Peng JCH. How weaponizing disinformation can bring down a city's power grid. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236517. [PMID: 32785250 PMCID: PMC7423072 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Social media has made it possible to manipulate the masses via disinformation and fake news at an unprecedented scale. This is particularly alarming from a security perspective, as humans have proven to be one of the weakest links when protecting critical infrastructure in general, and the power grid in particular. Here, we consider an attack in which an adversary attempts to manipulate the behavior of energy consumers by sending fake discount notifications encouraging them to shift their consumption into the peak-demand period. Using Greater London as a case study, we show that such disinformation can indeed lead to unwitting consumers synchronizing their energy-usage patterns, and result in blackouts on a city-scale if the grid is heavily loaded. We then conduct surveys to assess the propensity of people to follow-through on such notifications and forward them to their friends. This allows us to model how the disinformation may propagate through social networks, potentially amplifying the attack impact. These findings demonstrate that in an era when disinformation can be weaponized, system vulnerabilities arise not only from the hardware and software of critical infrastructure, but also from the behavior of the consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gururaghav Raman
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bedoor AlShebli
- Computer Science, New York University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Marcin Waniek
- Computer Science, New York University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Talal Rahwan
- Computer Science, New York University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- * E-mail: (TR); (JCHP)
| | - Jimmy Chih-Hsien Peng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail: (TR); (JCHP)
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173
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Chan MPS, Jamieson KH, Albarracin D. Prospective associations of regional social media messages with attitudes and actual vaccination: A big data and survey study of the influenza vaccine in the United States. Vaccine 2020; 38:6236-6247. [PMID: 32792251 PMCID: PMC7415418 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Regional Twitter vaccine content was prospectively associated with attitudes. Regional Twitter vaccine content was prospectively associated with vaccination. Discussing the influenza vaccine with others can remove the negative effects of Twitter vaccine content.
Objective Using longitudinal methods to assess regional associations between social media posts about vaccines and attitudes and actual vaccination against influenza in the US. Methods Geolocated tweets from U.S. counties (N = 115,330) were analyzed using MALLET LDA (Latent Dirichlet allocation) topic modeling techniques to correlate with prospective individual survey data (N = 3005) about vaccine attitudes, actual vaccination, and real-life discussions about vaccines with family and friends during the 2018–2019 influenza season. Results Ten topics were common across U.S. counties during the 2018–2019 influenza season. In the overall analyses, two of these topics (i.e., Vaccine Science Matters and Big Pharma) were associated with attitudes and behaviors. The topic concerning vaccine science in November-February was positively correlated with attitudes in February-March, r = 0.09, BF10 = 3. Moreover, among respondents who did not discuss the influenza vaccine with family and friends, the topic about vaccine fraud and children in November-February was negatively correlated with attitudes in February-March and with vaccination in February-March, and April-May (rs = −0.18 to −0.25, BF10 = 4–146). However, this was absent when participants had discussions about the influenza vaccine with family and friends. Discussion Regional vaccine content correlated with prospective measures of vaccine attitudes and actual vaccination. Conclusions Social media have demonstrated strong associations with vaccination patterns. When the associations are negative, discussions with family and friends appear to eliminate them. Programs to promote vaccination should encourage real-life conversations about vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Pui Sally Chan
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, United States.
| | | | - Dolores Albarracin
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, United States; The Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, PA, United States
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174
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Metag J. What drives science media use? Predictors of media use for information about science and research in digital information environments. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2020; 29:561-578. [PMID: 32605420 DOI: 10.1177/0963662520935062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study analyzes the predictors of media use for information about science and research by drawing on the theory of planned behavior and audience orientations. It uses data from a representative survey in Switzerland. We find that both audience orientations and motivations explained the use of media to access science information. People with positive attitudes toward science were more likely to use all kinds of media to access information about science. Positive evaluations of mass media coverage predicted print media and website, television and radio use positively but social media use negatively. Thus, social media could be a way to reach people who do not appreciate the coverage of the traditional mass media as much as others but who are still positive toward science. However, people who use social media may possess lesser knowledge to assess to what extent such science information is trustworthy and correct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Metag
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Germany
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175
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Ameen K, Naeem SB. Demographic differences in the perceived news literacy skills and sharing behavior of information professionals. INFORMATION DISCOVERY AND DELIVERY 2020. [DOI: 10.1108/idd-02-2020-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the differences in information professionals’ perceived news literacy skills and sharing behaviors with their demographics (gender, age, qualification, professional experience and working designation).
Design/methodology/approach
Using a quantitative research design, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect the data from information professionals working in university libraries.
Findings
Findings reveal that the use of social media channels for sharing news was significantly higher among the professionals in the age group <30 years as compared to the older age groups. Female professionals determine the authenticity of a news story more frequently than males. The study concludes that the factors such as age, education level and work experience significantly influence information professionals’ use of social media for sharing news and their news literacy skills.
Practical implications
The study holds some important practical implications in terms of identifying demographic factors in the perceived news literacy skills and sharing behaviors. Having information about the significant variations in demographics may help in adopting the targeted approaches for organizing news literacy sessions, as well as to develop a framework for news literacy instructions.
Originality/value
This study adopted the Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education given by the Association for College and Research Libraries (ACRL) to develop the theoretical framework and questionnaire. The validated questionnaire on news literacy skills has been specifically constructed for the study in absence of finding any in the literature. Moreover, studies were hardly found assessing the difference of demographics with information professionals’ perceived news literacy skills and their news sharing behaviors.
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176
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Muis KR, Etoubashi N, Denton CA. The catcher in the lie: The role of emotions and epistemic judgments in changing students’ misconceptions and attitudes in a post-truth era. CONTEMPORARY EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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177
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The limited reach of fake news on Twitter during 2019 European elections. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234689. [PMID: 32555659 PMCID: PMC7302448 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of social media changed the way we consume content, favoring a disintermediated access to, and production of information. This scenario has been matter of critical discussion about its impact on society, magnified in the case of the Arab Springs or heavily criticized during Brexit and the 2016 U.S. elections. In this work we explore information consumption on Twitter during the 2019 European Parliament electoral campaign by analyzing the interaction patterns of official news outlets, disinformation outlets, politicians, people from the showbiz and many others. We extensively explore interactions among different classes of accounts in the months preceding the elections, held between 23rd and 26th of May, 2019. We collected almost 400,000 tweets posted by 863 accounts having different roles in the public society. Through a thorough quantitative analysis we investigate the information flow among them, also exploiting geolocalized information. Accounts show the tendency to confine their interaction within the same class and the debate rarely crosses national borders. Moreover, we do not find evidence of an organized network of accounts aimed at spreading disinformation. Instead, disinformation outlets are largely ignored by the other actors and hence play a peripheral role in online political discussions.
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178
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Lorenz-Spreen P, Lewandowsky S, Sunstein CR, Hertwig R. How behavioural sciences can promote truth, autonomy and democratic discourse online. Nat Hum Behav 2020; 4:1102-1109. [PMID: 32541771 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-020-0889-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Public opinion is shaped in significant part by online content, spread via social media and curated algorithmically. The current online ecosystem has been designed predominantly to capture user attention rather than to promote deliberate cognition and autonomous choice; information overload, finely tuned personalization and distorted social cues, in turn, pave the way for manipulation and the spread of false information. How can transparency and autonomy be promoted instead, thus fostering the positive potential of the web? Effective web governance informed by behavioural research is critically needed to empower individuals online. We identify technologically available yet largely untapped cues that can be harnessed to indicate the epistemic quality of online content, the factors underlying algorithmic decisions and the degree of consensus in online debates. We then map out two classes of behavioural interventions-nudging and boosting- that enlist these cues to redesign online environments for informed and autonomous choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Lorenz-Spreen
- Center for Adaptive Rationality, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Stephan Lewandowsky
- School of Psychological Science and Cabot Institute, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Ralph Hertwig
- Center for Adaptive Rationality, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
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179
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Information-Seeking Preferences of the Colorado Equine Industry for Distribution of Disease Outbreak Information. J Equine Vet Sci 2020; 91:103126. [PMID: 32684264 PMCID: PMC7241321 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to learn how perceptions of accuracy and availability of sources affect how members of the Colorado equine industry seek both everyday information and information during an equine disease outbreak. A survey was distributed by email and social media to members of Colorado-based equine organizations. A total of 256 survey responses were obtained from individuals representing a spectrum of ages and roles in the Colorado equine industry. Survey participants predominantly identified as female (95.3%) and their industry role as a horse owner (41%) or a competitive (25.8%) or pleasure (13.3%) rider. Younger survey participants reported greater (P < .0001) use of social media, and both participant age (P < .015) and information source (P < .0001) affected the perception of resource accuracy. In the event of an equine disease outbreak, industry role was an important factor (P = .003) in the selection of news sources, whereas age was not (P = .19). Many participants (56%) identified disease symptoms/signs to be the most important information to be sought during a disease outbreak and most (69.9%) preferred state or veterinary resources for this information. The identification of why Colorado equine industry members access information from specific sources may guide animal health and extension professionals to tailor their online presence to best meet the communication needs of the Colorado equine industry.
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181
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Mehta G, Hopf H, Krief A, Matlin SA. Realigning science, society and policy in uncertain times. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:200554. [PMID: 32537231 PMCID: PMC7277255 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Against a backdrop of rapidly changing social, economic and geopolitical settings and ideologies, the world is facing a wide range of challenges, including in biodiversity, climate, energy, the environment, food, health and water. These can only be addressed by fully harnessing key capacities that science offers. However, there is a crisis of trust in science which affects some sections of society and some policy-makers, impairing the capacity of science to deliver its essential roles. This damaged relationship between science, society and policy has immense health, economic and social consequences and implications for sustainability of the entire planet. Scientists must strive collectively to re-establish trust by society and politicians where it is damaged, and reinforce conviction of science's central importance in underpinning policy. Science's roles must in turn be acknowledged by policies that sustain innovation and freedom to work without political interference or constraints. A well-functioning and trusting relationship between science, society and policy-makers offers a potent means to thwart and mitigate emergent global challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goverdhan Mehta
- School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
- International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development, 61 rue de Bruxelles, 5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Henning Hopf
- International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development, 61 rue de Bruxelles, 5000 Namur, Belgium
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig 38106, Germany
| | - Alain Krief
- International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development, 61 rue de Bruxelles, 5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Stephen A. Matlin
- International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development, 61 rue de Bruxelles, 5000 Namur, Belgium
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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182
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Gargiulo F, Cafiero F, Guille-Escuret P, Seror V, Ward JK. Asymmetric participation of defenders and critics of vaccines to debates on French-speaking Twitter. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6599. [PMID: 32313016 PMCID: PMC7171088 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62880-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
For more than a decade, doubt about vaccines has become an increasingly important global issue. Polarization of opinions on this matter, especially through social media, has been repeatedly observed, but details about the balance of forces are left unclear. In this paper, we analyse the flow of information on vaccines on the French-speaking realm of Twitter between 2016 and 2017. Two major asymmetries appear. Rather than opposing themselves on each vaccine, defenders and critics focus on different vaccines and vaccine-related topics. Pro-vaccine accounts focus on hopes for new groundbreaking vaccines and on ongoing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses. Vaccine critics concentrate their posts on a limited number of "controversial" vaccines and adjuvants. Furthermore, vaccine-critical accounts display greater craft and energy, using a wider variety of sources, and a more coordinated set of hashtags. This double asymmetry can have serious consequences. Despite the presence of a large number of pro-vaccine accounts, some arguments raised by efficiently organized and very active vaccine-critical activists are left unanswered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Florian Cafiero
- CNRS, Université Paris Sorbonne, GEMASS, 75017, Paris, France
| | - Paul Guille-Escuret
- CNRS, Université Paris Sorbonne, GEMASS, 75017, Paris, France
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Valérie Seror
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Jeremy K Ward
- CNRS, Université Paris Sorbonne, GEMASS, 75017, Paris, France.
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, 13005, Marseille, France.
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183
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McClure MB, Hall KC, Brooks EF, Allen CT, Lyle KS. A pedagogical approach to science outreach. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3000650. [PMID: 32298254 PMCID: PMC7188294 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Encouragement of students across all communities through scientific outreach programs is critical to engaging the next generation, exciting young minds to pursue careers in science and medicine. Herein, we present a uniquely structured and widely influential science outreach program. Founded in 2005, the Duke Chemistry Outreach (DCO) employs a pedagogical approach to outreach that aims to teach its audience a new scientific concept, while instilling a pure enjoyment of science. DCO has performed 583 events reaching over 70,000 participants throughout 2,270 hours, with the majority of events in Durham, the surrounding North Carolinian communities, and across 8 other states. The flexibility and diversity of this outreach program creates a framework amendable for others to adopt in both secondary and higher education settings. Across 14 years, 581 events, and reaching 70,000 audience members, the Duke Chemistry Outreach program has engaged the surrounding community through fun scientific demonstrations. This Community Page article provides examples and guidelines to encourage others to establish similar programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marni B. McClure
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kacey C. Hall
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Erin F. Brooks
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Catherine T. Allen
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kenneth S. Lyle
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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184
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Marie A, Altay S, Strickland B. The cognitive foundations of misinformation on science: What we know and what scientists can do about it. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e50205. [PMID: 32249542 PMCID: PMC7132178 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202050205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Mis information and misunderstanding of science can partially explained by cognitive processes rooted in our evolutionary past. Science communication can use this knowledge to overcome these cognitive limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Marie
- Département d'Etudes CognitivesInstitut Jean NicodENS, EHESS, CNRSPSL Research UniversityParisFrance
- UM6P School of Collective IntelligenceBen GuérirMorocco
| | - Sacha Altay
- Département d'Etudes CognitivesInstitut Jean NicodENS, EHESS, CNRSPSL Research UniversityParisFrance
| | - Brent Strickland
- Département d'Etudes CognitivesInstitut Jean NicodENS, EHESS, CNRSPSL Research UniversityParisFrance
- UM6P School of Collective IntelligenceBen GuérirMorocco
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185
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Pulido CM, Ruiz-Eugenio L, Redondo-Sama G, Villarejo-Carballido B. A New Application of Social Impact in Social Media for Overcoming Fake News in Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17072430. [PMID: 32260048 DOI: 10.1177/0268580920914755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
One of the challenges today is to face fake news (false information) in health due to its potential impact on people's lives. This article contributes to a new application of social impact in social media (SISM) methodology. This study focuses on the social impact of the research to identify what type of health information is false and what type of information is evidence of the social impact shared in social media. The analysis of social media includes Reddit, Facebook, and Twitter. This analysis contributes to identifying how interactions in these forms of social media depend on the type of information shared. The results indicate that messages focused on fake health information are mostly aggressive, those based on evidence of social impact are respectful and transformative, and finally, deliberation contexts promoted in social media overcome false information about health. These results contribute to advancing knowledge in overcoming fake health-related news shared in social media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina M Pulido
- Department of Journalism and Communication Studies, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de la UAB, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Ruiz-Eugenio
- Department of Theory and History of Education, University of Barcelona, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gisela Redondo-Sama
- Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Deusto, Unibertsitate Etorb., 24, 48007 Bilbo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Villarejo-Carballido
- Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Deusto, Unibertsitate Etorb., 24, 48007 Bilbo, Bizkaia, Spain
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186
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Walsh JP. Social media and moral panics: Assessing the effects of technological
change on societal reaction. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CULTURAL STUDIES 2020; 23:1367877920912257. [PMCID: PMC7201200 DOI: 10.1177/1367877920912257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Answering calls for deeper consideration of the relationship between moral panics
and emergent media systems, this exploratory article assesses the effects of
social media – web-based venues that enable and encourage the production and
exchange of user-generated content. Contra claims of their empowering and
deflationary consequences, it finds that, on balance, recent technological
transformations unleash and intensify collective alarm. Whether generating fear
about social change, sharpening social distance, or offering new opportunities
for vilifying outsiders, distorting communications, manipulating public opinion,
and mobilizing embittered individuals, digital platforms and communications
constitute significant targets, facilitators, and instruments of panic
production. The conceptual implications of these findings are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Walsh
- James P Walsh, Assistant Professor of
Criminology, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, University Ontario
Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Canada.
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187
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Boutron I. Spin in Scientific Publications: A Frequent Detrimental Research Practice. Ann Emerg Med 2020; 75:432-434. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2019.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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188
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Roche J, Bell L, Galvão C, Golumbic YN, Kloetzer L, Knoben N, Laakso M, Lorke J, Mannion G, Massetti L, Mauchline A, Pata K, Ruck A, Taraba P, Winter S. Citizen Science, Education, and Learning: Challenges and Opportunities. FRONTIERS IN SOCIOLOGY 2020; 5:613814. [PMID: 33869532 PMCID: PMC8022735 DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2020.613814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Citizen science is a growing field of research and practice, generating new knowledge and understanding through the collaboration of citizens in scientific research. As the field expands, it is becoming increasingly important to consider its potential to foster education and learning opportunities. Although progress has been made to support learning in citizen science projects, as well as to facilitate citizen science in formal and informal learning environments, challenges still arise. This paper identifies a number of dilemmas facing the field-from competing scientific goals and learning outcomes, differing underlying ontologies and epistemologies, diverging communication strategies, to clashing values around advocacy and activism. Although such challenges can become barriers to the successful integration of citizen science into mainstream education systems, they also serve as signposts for possible synergies and opportunities. One of the key emerging recommendations is to align educational learning outcomes with citizen science project goals at the planning stage of the project using co-creation approaches to ensure issues of accessibility and inclusivity are paramount throughout the design and implementation of every project. Only then can citizen science realise its true potential to empower citizens to take ownership of their own science education and learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Roche
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- *Correspondence: Joseph Roche
| | | | | | | | | | - Nieke Knoben
- Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Mari Laakso
- Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Julia Lorke
- Wissenschaft im Dialog, Bürger Schaffen Wissen, Berlin, Germany
| | - Greg Mannion
- University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
| | - Luciano Massetti
- Institute of Bioeconomy, Italian National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Kai Pata
- Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Andy Ruck
- University of the Highlands and Islands, Perth, United Kingdom
| | | | - Silvia Winter
- Vienna University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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189
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Carey JM, Chi V, Flynn DJ, Nyhan B, Zeitzoff T. The effects of corrective information about disease epidemics and outbreaks: Evidence from Zika and yellow fever in Brazil. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaw7449. [PMID: 32064329 PMCID: PMC6989147 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw7449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Disease epidemics and outbreaks often generate conspiracy theories and misperceptions that mislead people about the risks they face and how best to protect themselves. We investigate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at combating false and unsupported information about the Zika epidemic and subsequent yellow fever outbreak in Brazil. Results from a nationally representative survey show that conspiracy theories and other misperceptions about Zika are widely believed. Moreover, results from three preregistered survey experiments suggest that efforts to counter misperceptions about diseases during epidemics and outbreaks may not always be effective. We find that corrective information not only fails to reduce targeted Zika misperceptions but also reduces the accuracy of other beliefs about the disease. In addition, although corrective information about the better-known threat from yellow fever was more effective, none of these corrections affected support for vector control policies or intentions to engage in preventive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M. Carey
- Department of Government, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Victoria Chi
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - D. J. Flynn
- School of International Relations, IE University, Segovia, Spain
| | - Brendan Nyhan
- Department of Government, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
- Corresponding author.
| | - Thomas Zeitzoff
- School of Public Affairs, American University, Washington, DC, USA
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190
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Effron DA, Raj M. Misinformation and Morality: Encountering Fake-News Headlines Makes Them Seem Less Unethical to Publish and Share. Psychol Sci 2019; 31:75-87. [DOI: 10.1177/0956797619887896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
People may repeatedly encounter the same misinformation when it “goes viral.” The results of four main experiments (two preregistered) and a pilot experiment (total N = 2,587) suggest that repeatedly encountering misinformation makes it seem less unethical to spread—regardless of whether one believes it. Seeing a fake-news headline one or four times reduced how unethical participants thought it was to publish and share that headline when they saw it again—even when it was clearly labeled as false and participants disbelieved it, and even after we statistically accounted for judgments of how likeable and popular it was. In turn, perceiving the headline as less unethical predicted stronger inclinations to express approval of it online. People were also more likely to actually share repeated headlines than to share new headlines in an experimental setting. We speculate that repeating blatant misinformation may reduce the moral condemnation it receives by making it feel intuitively true, and we discuss other potential mechanisms that might explain this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Medha Raj
- Management and Organization Department, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California
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191
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Sinclair AH, Barense MD. Prediction Error and Memory Reactivation: How Incomplete Reminders Drive Reconsolidation. Trends Neurosci 2019; 42:727-739. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2019.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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192
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Petersen AM, Vincent EM, Westerling AL. Discrepancy in scientific authority and media visibility of climate change scientists and contrarians. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3502. [PMID: 31409789 PMCID: PMC6692310 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09959-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We juxtapose 386 prominent contrarians with 386 expert scientists by tracking their digital footprints across ∼200,000 research publications and ∼100,000 English-language digital and print media articles on climate change. Projecting these individuals across the same backdrop facilitates quantifying disparities in media visibility and scientific authority, and identifying organization patterns within their association networks. Here we show via direct comparison that contrarians are featured in 49% more media articles than scientists. Yet when comparing visibility in mainstream media sources only, we observe just a 1% excess visibility, which objectively demonstrates the crowding out of professional mainstream sources by the proliferation of new media sources, many of which contribute to the production and consumption of climate change disinformation at scale. These results demonstrate why climate scientists should increasingly exert their authority in scientific and public discourse, and why professional journalists and editors should adjust the disproportionate attention given to contrarians. The role of climate change (CC) contrarians is neglected in climate change communication studies. Here the authors used a data-driven approach to identify CC contrarians and CC scientists and found that CC scientists have much higher citation impact than those for contrarians but lower media visibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Michael Petersen
- Management of Complex Systems Department, Ernest and Julio Gallo Management Program, School of Engineering, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343, USA.
| | - Emmanuel M Vincent
- Medialab, Sciences Po, Paris, 75007, France. .,Center for Climate Communication, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343, USA.
| | - Anthony LeRoy Westerling
- Management of Complex Systems Department, Ernest and Julio Gallo Management Program, School of Engineering, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343, USA. .,Center for Climate Communication, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343, USA. .,Sierra Nevada Research Institute, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343, USA.
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193
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Boutron I, Haneef R, Yavchitz A, Baron G, Novack J, Oransky I, Schwitzer G, Ravaud P. Three randomized controlled trials evaluating the impact of "spin" in health news stories reporting studies of pharmacologic treatments on patients'/caregivers' interpretation of treatment benefit. BMC Med 2019; 17:105. [PMID: 31159786 PMCID: PMC6547451 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-019-1330-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND News stories represent an important source of information. We aimed to evaluate the impact of "spin" (i.e., misrepresentation of study results) in health news stories reporting studies of pharmacologic treatments on patients'/caregivers' interpretation of treatment benefit. METHODS We conducted three two-arm, parallel-group, Internet-based randomized trials (RCTs) comparing the interpretation of news stories reported with or without spin. Each RCT considered news stories reporting a different type of study: (1) pre-clinical study, (2) phase I/II non-RCT, and (3) phase III/IV RCT. For each type of study, we identified news stories reported with spin that had earned mention in the press. Two versions of the news stories were used: the version with spin and a version rewritten without spin. Participants were patients/caregivers involved in Inspire, a large online community of more than one million patients/caregivers. The primary outcome was participants' interpretation assessed by one specific question "What do you think is the probability that 'treatment X' would be beneficial to patients?" (scale, 0 [very unlikely] to 10 [very likely]). RESULTS For each RCT, 300 participants were randomly assigned to assess a news story with spin (n = 150) or without spin (n = 150), and 900 participants assessed a news story. Participants were more likely to consider that the treatment would be beneficial to patients when the news story was reported with spin. The mean (SD) score for the primary outcome for abstracts reported with and without spin for pre-clinical studies was 7.5 (2.2) versus 5.8 (2.8) (mean difference [95% CI] 1.7 [1.0-2.3], p < 0.001); for phase I/II non-randomized trials, 7.6 (2.2) versus 5.8 (2.7) (mean difference 1.8 [1.0-2.5], p < 0.001); and for phase III/IV RCTs, 7.2 (2.3) versus 4.9 (2.8) (mean difference 2.3 [1.4-3.2], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Spin in health news stories reporting studies of pharmacologic treatments affects patients'/caregivers' interpretation. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03094078 , NCT03094104 , NCT03095586.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Boutron
- INSERM, UMR 1153, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Research Center (CRESS), Methods Team, Paris, France. .,Faculté de Médecine, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France. .,Centre d'Épidémiologie Clinique, AP-HP (Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris), Hôpital Hôtel Dieu, 1, Place du parvis Notre Dame, 75004, Paris Cedex 4, France.
| | - Romana Haneef
- INSERM, UMR 1153, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Research Center (CRESS), Methods Team, Paris, France.,Faculté de Médecine, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France.,Centre d'Épidémiologie Clinique, AP-HP (Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris), Hôpital Hôtel Dieu, 1, Place du parvis Notre Dame, 75004, Paris Cedex 4, France
| | - Amélie Yavchitz
- INSERM, UMR 1153, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Research Center (CRESS), Methods Team, Paris, France.,Centre d'Épidémiologie Clinique, AP-HP (Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris), Hôpital Hôtel Dieu, 1, Place du parvis Notre Dame, 75004, Paris Cedex 4, France
| | - Gabriel Baron
- Centre d'Épidémiologie Clinique, AP-HP (Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris), Hôpital Hôtel Dieu, 1, Place du parvis Notre Dame, 75004, Paris Cedex 4, France
| | | | - Ivan Oransky
- New York University's Arthur Carter Journalism Institute, New York, USA
| | - Gary Schwitzer
- HealthNewsReview.org, University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Philippe Ravaud
- INSERM, UMR 1153, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Research Center (CRESS), Methods Team, Paris, France.,Faculté de Médecine, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France.,Centre d'Épidémiologie Clinique, AP-HP (Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris), Hôpital Hôtel Dieu, 1, Place du parvis Notre Dame, 75004, Paris Cedex 4, France.,Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
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194
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Hopf H, Krief A, Mehta G, Matlin SA. Fake science and the knowledge crisis: ignorance can be fatal. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:190161. [PMID: 31218057 PMCID: PMC6549953 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.190161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Computers, the Internet and social media enable every individual to be a publisher, communicating true or false information instantly and globally. In the 'post-truth' era, deception is commonplace at all levels of contemporary life. Fakery affects science and social information and the two have become highly interactive globally, undermining trust in science and the capacity of individuals and society to make evidence-informed choices, including on life-or-death issues. Ironically, drivers of fake science are embedded in the current science publishing system intended to disseminate evidenced knowledge, in which the intersection of science advancement and reputational and financial rewards for scientists and publishers incentivize gaming and, in the extreme, creation and promotion of falsified results. In the battle for truth, individual scientists, professional associations, academic institutions and funding bodies must act to put their own house in order by promoting ethics and integrity and de-incentivizing the production and publishing of false data and results. They must speak out against false information and fake science in circulation and forcefully contradict public figures who promote it. They must contribute to research that helps understand and counter false information, to education that builds knowledge and skills in assessing information and to strengthening science literacy in society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henning Hopf
- International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development, 61 rue de Bruxelles, 5000 Namur, Belgium
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig 38106, Germany
| | - Alain Krief
- International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development, 61 rue de Bruxelles, 5000 Namur, Belgium
- Chemistry Department, Namur University, 5000 Namur, Belgium
- HEJ Research Institute, University of Karachi, Karachi City, Sindh 75270, Pakistan
| | - Goverdhan Mehta
- International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development, 61 rue de Bruxelles, 5000 Namur, Belgium
- School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Stephen A. Matlin
- International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development, 61 rue de Bruxelles, 5000 Namur, Belgium
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Author for correspondence: Stephen A. Matlin e-mail:
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