2018 IEEE/ACM International Conference on Advances in Social Networks Analysis and Mining (ASONAM) Usage of Scientific References in MMR Vaccination Debates on Twitter Aseel Addawood Illinois Informatics Institute & The iSchool, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA Information Systems Department, Imam Mohammad bin Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
[email protected] Abstract— This research analyzes scientific information considered to be more credible than non-scientific sources sharing behaviors on Twitter. Over an eleven-month period, [10]. However, it is not clear from the previous literature we collected tweets related to the controversy over the how scientific evidence is deployed in discussions among supposed linkage between the MMR vaccine and autism. We Twitter users regarding health information. The problem of examined the usage pattern of scientific information resources scientific research use in online, socially mediated by both sides of the ongoing debate. Then, we explored how discussions on health information is complicated by the each side uses scientific evidence in the vaccine debate. To controversies that surround certain health issues. These achieve this goal, we analyzed the usage of scientific and non- controversies can arise even when there is little to no scientific URLs by both polarized opinions. A domain network, credible evidence to support them. One significant which connects domains shared by the same user, was generated based on the URLs "tweeted" by users engaging in controversy is the supposed relationship between the the debate in order to understand the nature of different Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccinations and domains and how they relate to each other.