Evaluating credibility of social media information: current challenges, research directions and practical criteria

Abstract

Purpose Social media pose serious challenges to information evaluation, which can make credibility evaluation more difficult compared to other information resources. As a result, this paper aims to explore related challenges and research directions to put forth a set of criteria practical for actual users in their decision-making. Design/methodology/approach Related literature in such disciplines as information, communication and media sciences were carefully searched and assessed. Once challenges and research directions were identified, a literature coding approach was considered to design a conceptual framework incorporating the main criteria used for evaluating information found from social media. Findings Some areas of consideration such as political concerns, health information, organizational issues and purchasing behavior are among the main challenges inevitable in evaluating current social media information. The relative importance of credibility criteria varies from study to study depending on factors such as the characteristics of the participants, the type of the source and the type of information. Practical implications A conceptual framework developed including four main dimensions of the information source, information presentation, information credibility and decision-related issues as a set of criteria useful for the decision-making of social media users when evaluating information. Originality/value The literature review and the conceptual framework incorporate a set of most important criteria for exploring the credibility evaluation of social media information, which are also useful for future related studies.