Misinformation in social media: An axiological exploration on COVID-19 vaccine hesitations among youth
Presenter Type
UNO Graduate Student (Masters)
Major/Field of Study
Communication
Advisor Information
Dr. Herb Thompson III, Assistant Professor, Communication Studies, UNO School of Communication
Location
MBSC302 - G (Masters)
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
24-3-2023 9:00 AM
End Date
24-3-2023 10:15 AM
Abstract
Misinformation in social media:
An axiological exploration of COVID-19 vaccine hesitations among youth
Since the sudden onset of the COVID-19 epidemic, human civilization has encountered several challenges. One of these significant challenges is the rapid and pervasive distribution of erroneous information, also referred to as misinformation, and fake news, particularly on popular social media platforms. This pilot study has been conducted to explore connections and impacts of misinformation on social media and the phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy among the college-going young population in Nebraska. The study followed a phenomenological qualitative analytical approach to explore the meaning of vaccine hesitancy among the study participants by using the “Uses and Gratification Theory” (Katz, Blumler & Gurevitch, 1974) as the theoretical framework.
Incorporating evidence from reviews and thematic analysis of the semi-structured in-depth interviews with participants, the study suggests that the flow of misinformation significantly impacted their vaccine decision-making process resulting in a significant delay in taking the COVID-19 vaccine. The phenomenological views identified that the participants, primarily, were hesitant as part of common human nature as the pandemic was quite a new experience for them. At the same time, misinformation on social media added an extra layer to that hesitancy which affected their sense-making of COVID-19 vaccine information. This turned into a delay in the vaccine decision-making process for college-going students.
Keywords: COVID-19, misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, uses and gratification, social media, fake news, students, youth
Scheduling
9:15-10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m.-Noon
Misinformation in social media: An axiological exploration on COVID-19 vaccine hesitations among youth
MBSC302 - G (Masters)
Misinformation in social media:
An axiological exploration of COVID-19 vaccine hesitations among youth
Since the sudden onset of the COVID-19 epidemic, human civilization has encountered several challenges. One of these significant challenges is the rapid and pervasive distribution of erroneous information, also referred to as misinformation, and fake news, particularly on popular social media platforms. This pilot study has been conducted to explore connections and impacts of misinformation on social media and the phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy among the college-going young population in Nebraska. The study followed a phenomenological qualitative analytical approach to explore the meaning of vaccine hesitancy among the study participants by using the “Uses and Gratification Theory” (Katz, Blumler & Gurevitch, 1974) as the theoretical framework.
Incorporating evidence from reviews and thematic analysis of the semi-structured in-depth interviews with participants, the study suggests that the flow of misinformation significantly impacted their vaccine decision-making process resulting in a significant delay in taking the COVID-19 vaccine. The phenomenological views identified that the participants, primarily, were hesitant as part of common human nature as the pandemic was quite a new experience for them. At the same time, misinformation on social media added an extra layer to that hesitancy which affected their sense-making of COVID-19 vaccine information. This turned into a delay in the vaccine decision-making process for college-going students.
Keywords: COVID-19, misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, uses and gratification, social media, fake news, students, youth
Additional Information (Optional)
Projector, pointer