How unverified health information circulates
Results of the DESIVE² research project
What actually motivates people to spread false information in a health context? And to what extent does a scientific phenomenon influence the credibility and dissemination of such content? These questions were the focus of the project “Understanding Disinformation Behaviour” (DESIVE²), funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The research project was carried out by the ZBW under the direction of Prof Dr Isabella Peters and Dr Maria Henkel, the association Grenzenlos Digital e.V. and the Humboldt University of Berlin.
The research project consisted of three methodological parts: a quantitative online survey, an app study and qualitative interviews. In the survey, 109 participants rated 12 social media posts with different scientific elements. This showed that the mere existence of scientific elements such as diagrams or references had no significant influence on perceived credibility. However, if several of these elements were combined and presented in a scientific context, credibility increased significantly.
The app study investigated what health information people receive and pass on every day via a wide variety of channels – realistically and without media disruption. After registering, participants took part in surveys and uploaded content – including screenshots, voice messages and digital diary entries. Push notifications reminded them to use the app regularly. A total of 150 people used the app and documented over 400 situations with health information. 68 participants provided detailed self-reports on 368 situations, supplemented by 290 completed surveys. Finally, the qualitative interviews were designed to capture individual assessments and motivations for sharing or withholding health information.
The research project “Understanding disinformation behaviour” (DESIVE²) makes it clear that health information is often passed on out of care, conviction or the desire for support – but often without reflection. Consciously reflecting on this behaviour could help to curb the spread of misinformation. At the same time, misleading health information is omnipresent and reaches people through personal contacts and media channels. As this content is not always clearly recognisable as false, training approaches should focus more on the differentiated assessment of such information and teach strategies for critical classification.
Reading tip: Henkel, M., Perrey, L., Jacob, A., Greifeneder, E., Dewitz, L., Hellmich, H., Stiller, J., & Trkulja, V. (2024, November 12). Verify, share, contradict or ignore? Dealing with false information. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14134359
*This text was written on 17 April 2025.
This text was translated on 12 May 2025 using DeeplPro.