Delving into Data Science Methods in Response to the COVID‐19 Infodemic

Abstract

The circulation of myriad of information from diverse digital platforms during the COVID‐19 pandemic caused the unprecedented infodemic. Along with the increased case numbers, the shared information accelerated exponentially, especially via social media, and a large proportion of the daily distributed information was blended with myth, rumors, pseudoscience, or modified facts. Uncovering viral mis‐ and disinformation narratives and information voids is essential to a swift and effective response on delivering public health information and policy by the governments during a public health emergency. Although many studies have examined how information was circulated and shared during the COVID‐19 pandemic era, large gaps in literature exist as to how effectively to track, describe, and answer it. In this panel, the panelists propose and discuss data science methods to analyze the COVID‐19 infodemic. We hope our panel contribute to exploring more effective and applicable data science methods to investigate infodemic in crises.

Meeting People Where They Are: Hyper‐local Engagements Around COVID‐19 Misinformation in New Jersey

“…In any case, health misinformation can be incredibly damaging to public health outcomes because people have difficulties grappling with what is true and false, and how to act accordingly (Chi et al, 2020). Once this false and misleading information reaches people, it can be difficult to dispel the false beliefs and claims (Ognyanova, 2020;Southwell & Thorson, 2015;Tromble & McGregor, 2019) In 2020 the Covid-19 pandemic was cha , and aspects of the phenomenon have been studied by many researchers who suggested solutions in light of a large-scale misinformation event (M. Chong et al, 2022;Donovan et al, 2021;Starbird et al, 2019). Online spaces have been vectors of misinformation as platforms reward false information as it receives higher engagement and travels faster and spreads wider than true information (Singh et al, 2021).…”

“…In 2020 the Covid‐19 pandemic was characterized as an “infodemic” by the World Health Organization, and aspects of the phenomenon have been studied by many researchers who suggested solutions in light of a large‐scale misinformation event (M. Chong et al, 2022; Donovan et al, 2021; Starbird et al, 2019). Online spaces have been vectors of misinformation as platforms reward false information as it receives higher engagement and travels faster and spreads wider than true information (Singh et al, 2021).…”