COVID Misinformation: A Hot Topic of Research

Team Members

Joyce Paul

Abstract

Misinformation is false or inaccurate information. This research project aimed at understanding trends in covid misinformation research. Research was conducted in two major phases - thematic analysis of related literature followed by detailed content analysis. Basic quantitative analysis of Scopus data revealed that of all documents on misinformation published in 2021, more than 50% were on covid. For further analysis, two samples were created from documents available on Scopus. The first consisted of the 25 most cited documents on covid misinformation and the second had the 20 most cited documents on misinformation. Next, a coding strategy was developed. Themes and content were grouped under the four broad categories of source, spread, consequence and countermeasure. While the first sample of documents on covid misinformation displayed a strong focus on consequence and countermeasure, the second sample comprising of documents on misinformation had a more even distribution among the four categories with a slightly higher focus on spread and source. Content analysis revealed some interesting findings. Social media networks are hugely discussed as a major source of covid misinformation. Its consequences include psychological distress, loss of trust in governments and low compliance with health guidelines. Countermeasures include better laws, more internet space for health agencies and use of artificial intelligence in the detection of fake content online. As for recommendations, researchers need to focus more on spread and sources. Also, governments need to closely collaborate with health agencies and media networks, formulate better laws and implement schemes to increase citizen awareness. Citizens should strive to increase their scientific awareness and fact-checking skills. Social media users are required to prioritise accuracy while on social media platforms.