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Going Viral: Researching Safely on Social Media.
Kari Dee Vallury1, Barbara Baird1, Emma Miller1
1College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|December 13, 2021
Summary
Institutional policies inadequately address social media research safety, risking researcher well-being. This study highlights the need for comprehensive guidelines on ethical online research practices and robust support systems for researchers facing cyberbullying.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Public Health
- Research Ethics
Background:
- Social media offers advantages for research but presents significant safety and well-being challenges for researchers.
- Existing institutional policies and practices globally are insufficient in addressing these safety concerns.
- The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the need for safe and effective web-based research methodologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To share experiences of conducting social media research and identify associated risks.
- To highlight gaps in institutional policies, guidance, and practice regarding researcher safety and well-being in online research.
- To advocate for the development of comprehensive training, guidelines, and policies for safe social media research.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of a case study involving social media recruitment for an abortion stigma study in Australia.
- Examination of researcher experiences, institutional responses, and identified risks.
- Review of existing institutional policies and practices related to social media research ethics and researcher safety.
Main Results:
- Conducting viral web-based research, particularly by postgraduate students, exposes researchers to severe personal, professional, and institutional risks, including cyberbullying and harassment.
- Institutional responses to adverse events were often uncoordinated, revealing critical gaps in policy, guidance, and support.
- There is a clear need for improved institutional capacity to manage risks and support researcher well-being in online research environments.
Conclusions:
- Urgent development of comprehensive guidance on researcher safety for social media research is essential.
- Universities must enhance policies and training to address ethical considerations, mental health, and safety risks associated with online research.
- Effective institutional and individual-level strategies are needed to combat cyberbullying and harassment in academic research settings.
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