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Introduction
The Internet is considered the most-used communication means in the daily life of the global population. It has become commonplace for people to declare that they cannot live without it, whether for the use of social networks, leisure, or work 1-3. Brazil, in 2015, reached the mark of 94.2 million Internet users, making it the fifth country with the largest number of connections to the global computer network and the one with the highest use of social media in Latin America 4-6.
Within the context of the digital culture (or cyber culture), which has been developing since the expanded access to personal computers, online social networks are defined as a social structure integrated by people, organizations, or entities connected to each other through one or several types of relationships 7-9.
This technology is indicated in the scientific literature as a facilitator in teaching. Additionally, processes mediated by digital technologies increasingly articulate labor markets and social relations 10-12.
The use of social networks is a relatively recent phenomenon and is being used for studies in several areas of knowledge 13-14. In this perspective, its use in scientific research is increasing on a large scale, especially in the health area. Specific platforms have been developed for interaction, data collection, and information sharing among researchers 15-19.
In spite of the growing interest from the academic community in social networks as a scientific communication tool, research is still lacking on the profile of this use, and on how this data can be published in journals with scientific impact 20-21.
Given this, it should be noted that social media has been presented as a useful platform for informal discussions on health care, with great potential for research due to its ability to connect users and real-time feedback 22-25.
Increased use of the internet in all age groups has instigated researchers to use social networks as an alternative to obtain innovative answers and results in scientific work 26-29.
Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the evidence of social network use for data collection in scientific productions in the health area, to synthesize content on the theme and define the literature gap associated with this type of approach.
Data collection in social networks can be challenging due to the distrust from researchers regarding the reliability of the methodology. In this sense, this study is relevant insofar as it makes it possible to highlight innovation in scientific production through tools characteristic of a new digital era, which can contribute to make this process more secure, attractive, flexible, and with greater ease and agility of access to population responses and samples.
Material and Method
To achieve the proposed objective, an integrative literature review was necessary. In the operation of the development of this review, six well-defined stages were covered: 1) Elaboration of the research question; 2) Sampling or search for primary studies in the literature; 3) Data extraction; 4) Evaluation of the primary studies included; 5) Analysis and synthesis of the results; 6) Review submission 21.
In order to guide this integrative review, the following research question was formulated: “What is the evidence on the use of social networks for data collection in scientific productions?”
The search for primary studies was performed according to the criteria and manuals of each database. The following descriptors were used: (Medical Subject Headings) - Social Networking; Data collection; Article; Nursing and Health and the uncontrolled descriptors (keywords) - Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter, combined with Boolean operators (AND and OR). The descriptors were researched during the period comprised between January and February 2018, in the following virtual libraries and databases: SciELO, PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, and Web of Science.
The descriptors were combined in different manners to guarantee a broad search, whose combinations are described in Table 1.
Table 1 Cross references among descriptors used in the databases SciELO, PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, 2013-2018
Source: Own elaboration
Inclusion criteria of the primary studies defined were scientific articles portraying the use of social networks for data collection in scientific productions in the health area, published from January 2013 to July 2018. These had the following classifications: Individual study with experimental design, study with nonexperimental design, as correlational and qualitative descriptive research or case studies, case reports or data obtained systematically, of verifiable quality, or evaluation data of programs published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Therefore, levels of evidence 2, 3, 4, and 5 were considered 30-31. The exclusion criteria established included informal case reports, book chapters, dissertations, theses, reports, news items, editorials, nonscientific texts.
From the results obtained after complying strictly with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the title and summary of each scientific article were read to verify their suitability to the guiding question. The flow diagram, according to the Main Items for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (Prisma) model, is shown in Figure 1 32.
Source: Own elaboration
Figure 1 Flow diagram of the article search, exclusion, and exclusion process
Two independent reviewers selected the studies according to the eligibility and inclusion criteria and developed the study concordance method and selection process.
The 16 articles were analyzed in descriptive manner, which allowed evaluating the level and quality of the available evidence on the use of social networks for data collection in scientific productions in the health area, besides identifying knowledge gaps for future research.
To classify the level of evidence of the works, the study used the categorization of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The quality of evidence is classified in six levels, namely: Level 1, meta-analysis of multiple controlled studies; level 2, individual study with experimental design; level 3, study with a quasi-experimental design as study, without randomization with single pre- and post-test group, time series or case-control; level 4, study with nonexperimental design, such as correlational and qualitative descriptive research or studies; level 5, case report or data obtained systematically, of verifiable quality or program evaluation data; level 6, opinion by reputable authorities based on clinical competence or opinion by expert committees, including interpretation of non-research based information 31.
The study adhered to national and international ethical precepts governing research, with absence of conflicts of interest.
Results
Of the 16 articles selected in the thematic area of this study, five (31.2 %) were published in 2018; four (25 %) in 2016; three (18.7 %) in 2014; two (12.5 %) in 2017; and one (6.2 %) in 2015 and 2013. Regarding the study site, three (18.7 %) were carried out in Brazil, followed by two (16.6 %) in the United States of America and Italy.
In relation to the databases, PubMed stood out with 56.2 % of the publications. Regarding the design of the studies selected, non-experimental studies were highlighted with 11 (68.7 %) publications. Therefore, considered as scientific evidence level 4 31.
From the 16 studies selected and included in this integrative review, a summary of primary studies is presented in Table 2, according to title, year of publication, place of study, design and level of scientific evidence. To better identify each study selected, articles were organized in alphanumeric sequence starting from A1 to A16.
Table 2 Characterization of the articles selected according to title, author, year of publication, place of study, database, and level of scientific evidence, 2013-2018
Source: Own elaboration
Furthermore, to analyze and discuss the use of social networks for data collection in scientific productions, the studies selected were organized into categories by thematic adhesion of each research, namely: “Use of WhatsApp for data collection in scientific productions”; “Use of Facebook for data collection in scientific productions”; and “Use of Twitter for data collection in scientific productions” (Table 3).
Table 3 Classification of the studies into thematic accession categories, 2013-2018
Source: Own elaboration.
Use of WhatsApp for data collection in scientific productions
In relation to the category “Use of WhatsApp for data collection in scientific productions”, five scientific articles were selected. Each study was related to a differentiated area of instruction, but all used the WhatsApp social network to aid in the data collection of the articles.
Among the publications, one of the studies analyzed the testimonies of people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) during health follow-up through the WhatsApp application, which promoted the patient’s accessibility to health professionals and provided an open and immediate communication channel 33.
Other studies analyzed the WhatsApp groups to analyze the experiences of nurses and health professionals to improve education in primary care. The experiences of the discussion groups by using the social media application favor teaching and learning 34-35.
Another research presented experiences and results of a plastic surgery team at CHU Amiens Picardie who used instant messaging as part of medical transmissions for almost three years. This research showed improvement in the fluidity and lucidity of communications and transparency in patient management during hospitalization 36.
Different studies have proposed evaluating progress in tele-medicine with the possibility of sending case images to professionals for assessment via WhatsApp. The use of this mobile technology supported communication about health conditions between physicians and patients 37-39.
The latest research analyzed experiences of WhatsApp as a communication tool among team members as a positive effect through the application on the quality of the work of nurses 40-41.
Use of Facebook for data collection in scientific productions
In the category “Use of Facebook for data collection in scientific productions”, five studies were selected that contemplated the use of said social media in the collection of information and dissemination of evidence. This social network was used to disseminate three pain management interventions during painful procedures and evaluate prior knowledge, scope, dissemination, and intention to use strategies in the future 42.
Social media platforms, among them Facebook, have the potential to increase students’ self-efficacy in learning and conduct learning at a deeper level 43.
Another paper described the strategy of using information technology through social networks to improve access to difficult pediatric research participants. Other research demonstrated the effects of using Facebook on emotional states of depression, anxiety, and stress in adolescents 44-45.
In the same thematic category, the last scientific article found identified health promoters focused on HIV/AIDS prevention in posts linked to a Facebook group for discussions on the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which exposed a situation of vulnerability and alerted to a potential public health problem 46.
Use of Twitter for data collection in scientific productions
Lastly, two scientific articles were selected according to their main emphasis in the category “Use of Twitter for data collection in scientific productions”. This category found a publication exploring the social network as a method to promote student involvement during an inter-professional patient safety course 47.
In the research, this form of social media has successfully captured behind-the-scenes conversations and students’ experiences that otherwise would not be achieved. In addition, students gain broader perspectives and better comprehension of social media as a whole 48.
Discussion
The data analyzed demonstrated, through the scientific articles published, that the use of social networks for data collection in scientific productions in the health area is a new field and with a perspective of increasing magnification. Studies conducted between 2013 and 2018 have greater concentrations in 2018, with five publications. Timid expansion is noted of publications on this theme over the years and it is felt that this number may increase due to the popularization of using information technologies.
One survey observed rapid and growing reach of the interest group during a short period, reaching several municipalities in different states of Brazil, at a relatively low cost, when compared to other studies involving the application of questionnaires in person, and showed the geographical coverage potential of social networks 33-34,38.
The ease of the data collection method in the digital age can be attributed or probably related to the attractive and flexible mode and ease of access and response through smartphones, compared to computers and laptops, which permits rapid dissemination among the virtual network of contacts 38.
Thus, social networks can be quite useful as research tool due to the great popularity of use in Brazil and the world, with possibility of broad reach because of the number of connections established among the people who use it. In addition, it is an easy-to-use, low-cost, and rapid-dissemination method 33,38.
Studies with this approach in the methodology may offer aids to identify information needs, from the perspective of those involved, and favor expansion of health communication and research tools 35-36.
Research analyzing the testimonies of people living with HIV during a health follow-up showed that the use of WhatsApp is favorable as a care tool for virus carriers and has been shown to be a potential pathway to clear doubts and promote adherence to treatment 33.
It is worth highlighting that the global use of mobile devices with their connectivity capacity, integrated with the possibilities of social media networks, also provides a platform rich in resources for innovative scientific experiences in student-led learning 34.
A research in Italy described the use of a WhatsApp based smartphone to share clinical information about oral medicine. Thus, it has been shown that telemedicine applications can support communication between physicians and patients. Consultation through social networks reduced geographic barriers and significantly encouraged patients to undergo specialized clinical examinations 37.
Another study in the United States of America has revealed that registering pediatric samples for research is challenging due to parental mistrust, privacy concerns, and family time constraints. From this perspective, information technology strategies with social networks were used to improve access to pediatric research participants, obtaining simpler engagement through Facebook 40.
An additional scientific study explored the use of Twitter as a mean to promote involvement of university students during an inter-professional course on patient safety. The tool increased participant engagement, attention, and interaction, as well as helped guide future inter-professional educational programming in medical and nursing schools 43.
Despite the promising benefits these unique technological advances offer, such as social capital and articulation of friendship, growing concerns have emerged about their negative impacts on people’s well-being. Still from this perspective, research using social networks would identify users who at risk of developing negative emotional states and would increase awareness about the issue 41.
According to a research in Malawi, despite some challenges and constraints, implementation of WhatsApp was received positively by professionals in the basic health care network and was considered a useful tool to support the work of these professionals in the rural community 35.
According to a study on experimental design, it is possible to evaluate hematuria and the unnecessary costs of light clinical services by using tele-medicine. WhatsApp provides valuable help to tertiary hospitals where a urologist is not always present 39.
In this sense, it can be said that social networks are configured as an important interaction setting that offers a convenient platform to share information, circulate speeches, and transmit information. In the health field, it is felt that said potential should be explored further 46-50.
However, despite growth in research associated with the use of social networks and popularization of communication technologies, a great paradigm prevails of their use to generate scientific evidence, and the amount of research focusing on this subject is still minimal.
Conclusion
Analysis of the scientific articles selected in this integrative review permitted highlighting a methodological innovation by using social networks in data collection in scientific research, which made it possible to demonstrate a new contribution to multidisciplinary knowledge.
For the most part, studies involving the use of WhatsApp relied on mobile technology as support in team communication, which contributed to improved health education. Likewise, Twitter served as a tool to promote student involvement and knowledge.
The use of information Technologies permitted obtaining reliable, rapid, and low-cost data with potential to demystify information to a large number of connected users.
As a limitation, we highlight the lack of studies with data collection using elderly populations because this is a type of user with less frequency of use of social networks. Furthermore, the need to train health professionals and researchers is emphasized, so that they feel comfortable and secure in the process of using information technologies to conduct scientific research.
It is expected of this paper to become a basis for future studies related to using social media platforms as research tools or methodological strategies.
