Re-evaluating Standards of Human Subjects Protection for Sensitive Health Data in Social Media Networks

Authors

Kar-Hai Chu, University of Pittsburgh
Jason Colditz, University of Pittsburgh
Jaime Sidani, University of Pittsburgh
Michael Zimmer, Marquette UniversityFollow
Brian Primack, University of Arkansas

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2021

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Social Networks

Source ISSN

0378-8733

Abstract

This study addresses ethical questions about conducting health science research using network data from social media platforms. We provide examples of ethically problematic areas related to participant consent, expectation of privacy, and social media networks. Further, to illustrate how researchers can maintain ethical integrity while leveraging social media networks, we describe a study that demonstrates the ability to use social media to identify individuals affected by cancer. We discuss best practices and ethical guidelines for studying social media network data, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Comments

Accepted version. Social Networks, Vol. 67 (October 2021): 41-46. DOI. © 2021 Elsevier. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Chu, Kar-Hai; Colditz, Jason; Sidani, Jaime; Zimmer, Michael; and Primack, Brian, "Re-evaluating Standards of Human Subjects Protection for Sensitive Health Data in Social Media Networks" (2021). Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications. 61.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/comp_fac/61