Is it ok to use social media posts for research?

Treatment and medication
1

I work at the University of York. We are carrying out some research on how people feel about researchers using social media for detecting and monitoring side effects of treatments. Lots of people use social media (such as Twitter, Facebook and discussion forums) to post information on side effects that they or someone they know have experienced.

Potentially researchers interested in the side effects of a particular drug or treatment can search social media using sophisticated technology to find these posts.

We would like to hear the views of social media users. If you would like to participate in this research please respond on this social media site to the question below. Any responses may be used in our research.

“If this social media site were to be used by researchers to identify information on the side effects of medications how would you feel?”

2

Perfectly happy.

3

Thanks for your reply. Are you ok with any researchers - for instance drug companies, government, NHS, universities? Be great to know

4

Any platform for research which may be of help to others is fine by me (after all, in some other setting, I myself may be the 'other&#39

5

Thanks for your comment. that is very helpful

6

All ok as far as I am concerned

7

It seems to me the more research into this subject is to be welcomed. A better understanding of what the causes are would be welcome.

8

Thank you so much for your post. It is very interesting to know. 

9

Its okay although you should be on alert and very apprehensive when listening to people on social media. Although i will admit that social media can do wonders for insight and experiences.