How do you evaluate the quality and validity of social media research sources and publications?

When evaluating the quality and validity of social media research sources, start by scrutinizing the source. Consider the reputation, expertise, and affiliation of the research conductor. Are they transparent about their methodologies, data, and limitations? Credibility, transparency, and objectivity are key traits for reputable sources.

In recent months, social media platforms have presented a challenge in discerning the authenticity of sources. For instance, the once-reliable blue check mark, which aided in filtering through sources, is no longer available, leaving us at the intersection of a proliferation of fake news and profiles. To combat this issue effectively, one of the most effective approaches is conducting extensive research. I often find myself inputting the story topic into search engines to verify if reputable brands have reported on it, aiming for at least 3-4 sources. Another useful strategy is to monitor online sentiments and align them with the stories or news being circulated. By employing these methods, we can navigate the complex landscape of SM.

One thing I found helpful is Bias charts that show media bias from different outlets to understand how to digest the information that is presented.

Check the author's credibility and qualifications. Authors should have relevant expertise in the field they are discussing. Look for details about their education, credentials, and professional experience. A reliable source will often cite their information from academic or credible publications. These should be easily identifiable and available.

Data can be misleading. Make sure the data includes exactly what you are looking for and includes variance for different factors, causation does not mean correlation!

Examine the data employed in the research. How was it collected, processed, and analyzed? Ensure the data is relevant, reliable, accurate, and ethically obtained. The validity of the data significantly impacts the reliability of the research.

When using any research data, it is important to know as much as possible about the sample size from which the data was collected. It is nearly impossible (and usually impractical) for any research team to collate and analyze all data from all users of even a single social media platform. So who makes up the sample size the researchers analyzed? Does this sample size provide enough variety to be representative of whatever data is being analyzed? Is the sample size large enough?

Review the research methods. Are the research design, variables, and controls appropriate and consistent? Are the data analysis techniques robust and replicable? The credibility of the research significantly relies on the rigor of its methods.

Critique the results. Do they address the research question and support the hypothesis? Consider their relevance, clarity, and the researchers' confidence in their findings. Clear, coherent, and relevant results are a hallmark of high-quality research.

Make sure that the results and conclusions obtained from the analyzed dataset are actually in line with whatever the research study claims the results of the study are. If there are marked inconsistencies, the source is almost definitely unreliable.

This holds immense significance as even established brands and publications can encounter inaccuracies with facts and data. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize the regular verification of information across multiple platforms or search results. Additionally, certain publications offer a valuable resource in the form of a timeline showcasing their output, which can prove immensely helpful as information tends to evolve over time. By adopting these practices, we can maintain a diligent approach to staying well-informed and ensure that we have access to the most up-to-date and reliable information available.

Assess the publication where the research was disseminated. Look at the format, style, and language. Is the publication professional, informative, accessible, and engaging? The quality of the publication itself can reflect the quality of the research.

Another criterion to make note of is whether or not the publisher of the research is reputable and holds high standards for publication of all research that is submitted to it. Do studies need to be peer-reviewed?

Primarily, you must check the date of the reported change(s). Know that social media algos change daily, and that last month's/last six months' reported changes may no longer be valid. Refer to a recognized authority and even ask them off line if that change is still valid. They will be happy to tell you if it is, or if it has changed again. Remember, these committed, established experts are earnest to provide accurate and timely information to dispel misinformed charlatans who quote disinformation like they are the only experts.

Lastly, take into account the feedback on the research. How do other experts in the field respond? Constructive, respectful, and insightful feedback can indicate valuable research, while dismissive or superficial critiques can indicate weak research. Also, observe how the researchers react to criticism – their response can speak to their professionalism and commitment to scientific integrity.

When you're researching any given phenomenon or hypothesis, the best practice is to have at least 3-5 reputable sources which use similar methodologies and achieve results which further support the conclusion of said research. It is best if these studies are all conducted by independent sources, published in various reputable publications, and, while using similar methodologies to attempt recreation of results, may vary things such as sample size constitution or breadth. One way to find articles related to a given topic is to use the bibliography/works cited portion of the article. Of course, you must vet how these particular works are cited within the article: for example, are they contradicting this previous article, or supporting it?