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Chapter 13 - Social Network Analysis Techniques Using NodeXL for Analyzing Disinformation Related to QAnon

from Part IV - The Role of Communication in Promoting and Limiting QAnon Support

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 September 2023

By
Wasim Ahmed  and
Marc Smith
Edited by
Monica K. Miller
Monica K. Miller
Affiliation:
University of Nevada, Reno
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Summary

Researchers have investigated how disinformation and fake news spreads through social networks. Understanding how disinformation flows on social networks can help identify interventions to reduce the impact of such falsehoods and prevent negative consequences that can result from following conspiracy theories. This chapter will provide an overview of how researchers can use the tool NodeXL to rapidly analyse social media data related to QAnon by drawing upon social network analysis. NodeXL can be used to identify the shape of the network, key opinion leaders, and content related to discussions around QAnon. NodeXL was recently utilised to study disinformation networks surrounding COVID-19, such as the 5G and COVID-19 conspiracy and the ‘Film Your Hospital’ conspiracy. The chapter will also examine how the QAnon Twitter network compares to other Twitter networks. The chapter will then provide an insight into future potential research avenues that could be pursued by scholars working in this area.

Keywords

Social MediaTwitterNodeXLNetwork AnalysisDisinformation
Type
Chapter
Information
The Social Science of QAnon
A New Social and Political Phenomenon
 , pp. 216 - 233
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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