What Sources Do Individuals Use to Validate Arguments in Vaccine Discourses Today? An Exploratory Study of YouTube Comments

• In Event: Novel Approaches in Informal Learning Research

Abstract

By examining popular discourses on vaccination, we sought to understand how individuals utilize external sources through URL links to validate arguments. Using content analysis, we extracted and analyzed comments with URL links from eight YouTube videos scientifically addressing the purpose of vaccines. Through our findings we noticed that while anti-vaxxers were prone to use more science-based sources than pro-vaxxers and those of neutral stance to validate their arguments, in contrast to prior findings the correlation between their comment and sources were seemingly low. We suggest the need for more awareness in information literacy education in evaluating and sharing sources on informal learning environments like social media.

Authors

• Ju Hui Kang, University of Cincinnati

• Eun-Young Ko, KAIST

• Gi Woong Choi, Florida State University