JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH Zhu & Park Original Paper Development of a COVID-19 Web Information Transmission Structure Based on a Quadruple Helix Model: Webometric Network Approach Using Bing Yu Peng Zhu1,2, PhD; Han Woo Park2,3,4, PhD 1Blockchain Policy Research Center, Cyber Emotions Research Institute, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan-si, Republic of Korea 2Department of Media and Communication, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan-si, Republic of Korea 3Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs of Digital Convergence Business, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan-si, Republic of Korea 4Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs of East Asian Cultural Studies, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan-si, Republic of Korea Corresponding Author: Han Woo Park, PhD Department of Media and Communication Yeungnam University 214-1 Dae-dong Gyeongsan-si Republic of Korea Phone: 82 53 810 2275 Email:
[email protected] Abstract Background: Developing an understanding of the social structure and phenomenon of pandemic information sources worldwide is immensely significant. Objective: Based on the quadruple helix model, the aim of this study was to construct and analyze the structure and content of the internet information sources regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, considering time and space. The broader goal was to determine the status and limitations of web information transmission and online communication structure during public health emergencies. Methods: By sorting the second top-level domain, we divided the structure of network information sources into four levels: government, educational organizations, companies, and nonprofit organizations. We analyzed the structure of information sources and the evolution of information content at each stage using quadruple helix and network analysis methods. Results: The results of the structural analysis indicated that the online sources of information in Asia were more diverse than those in other regions in February 2020.