Shawn Goh
Research Projects
Networked Cynicism: A Network Ethnography Covid-19 Vaccine Resistant Telegram Groups in Singapore
In 2022, I conducted a study on Covid-19 vaccine misinformation on instant messaging apps like Telegram in Singapore, as part of my MSc in Social Science of the Internet thesis. The study adopted a mixed-method approach — combining social network analysis, qualitative interviews and ethnographic observations — to better understand (1) the types of anti-vaccine content and misinformation that are most popular on Telegram and how they spread across different groups; (2) how individuals' beliefs and attitudes, and the social norms on Telegram influence people's susceptibility to anti-vaccine content and misinformation; and (3) how the affordances of Telegram shape people's engagement with anti-vaccine content and misinformation. I was also invited to share my research at the Asia Journalism Fellowship 2022 Seminar on Online Harms and Digital Wellbeing. The presentation slides can be found here.
Singaporeans and False Information —Susceptibility, Immunity & Intervention
From 2018 to 2021, I was the co-investigator of a three-phase study on Singaporeans and false information funded by the Ministry of Communications and Information (Digital Readiness and Learning Division). Phase 1 of the study focused on Singaporeans’ susceptibility to false information, based on survey data collected from more than 2,000 citizens. The full report for Phase 1 can be found here. Phase 2 deployed a novel qualitative research method — the self-confrontation interview — to understand why some Singaporeans have stronger immunity against false information than others by examining their news and information-seeking practices online, responses to false information, and information verification strategies. Phase 3 comprised a mixed method of a survey and an experiment with more than 1,000 respondents, which compared the effects of using different modalities to deliver a public digital literacy program, and examined whether certain modalities produced better learning outcomes for certain demographics. The full report for Phases 2 and 3 can be found here.
In 2017, I was also involved in a three-part study on fake news funded by the Ministry of Communications and Information. The first part looked at the various types of false information, factors underlying its persistence, specific solutions, and government responses to the problem. The second part was a closed-door discussion jointly organised by the Institute of Policy Studies and First Draft that brought various stakeholders together to discuss the problem and identify future to-dos in various disciplines. The last part was an in-depth analysis of six case studies of the impact of fake news on elections. A working paper titled, ‘Fake News, False Information and More: Countering Human Biases’, was also published as a follow-up to the first part of the study. It discussed in greater detail the human biases that exacerbate the problem of online falsehoods, and raised possible countermeasures such as “techno-cognitive” tools, effective communication, and education.
Three-level Digital Divide & Digital Inclusion of Children from Single-parent & Two-parent Households in Singapore
From 2018 to 2019, I was the co-investigator of a study titled, "Three-level Digital Divide and Digital Inclusion of Children from Single-parent and Two-parent Households in Singapore". Funded by the Ministry of Social and Family Development under the Social and Family Research Fund, the study addressed the intersection of research on families and digital inclusion. It examined how children from single-parent and two-parent families used info-communication technology (ICT) for learning, living and leisure, and if first-level (access to ICT), second-level (ICT use and skills) and third-level (outcomes of ICT use) digital divides between children from single-parent families and those from two-parent families existed. A total of 100 single-parent and two-parent households, as well 10 non-profit organisations that provide assistance and services to children and families, were interviewed for the study.
Effects of Message Design on Attitudes towards Ambivalent Policy Issues
From 2018 to 2020, I was the co-investigator of a study that examined the impact of different message designs on people’s attitudes towards ambivalent policy issues. Using a two-wave study that involved a mixed methodology of a survey and an experiment conducted with 2,000 Singaporeans, the study tested the effects of three different message designs — (1) a one-sided message (i.e., presenting only claims that were supportive of the issue), (2) a two-sided non-refutational message (i.e., presenting claims that were supportive of the issue as well as its limitations), and (3) a two-sided refutational message (i.e., incorporating the refutations or counter-arguments to the presented limitations). The study also looked at demographic differences in the effectiveness of the different message designs, which held implications for government and policy communications.
Youth Awakening: Understanding Online Civic Engagement Among Youths in Singapore
In 2021, I was involved in a study that examined the phenomenon of online civic engagement among youths in Singapore. Phase 1 of the study comprised a content analysis of the social media content produced by youth civic actors based in Singapore to understand (1) the types of social media platforms that youths relied on to advocate their causes; (2) the different types of content that youths created and shared on these platforms; (3) the specific social media strategies and tactics that youths employed when creating and sharing content; as well as (4) the ways in which they engaged with key stakeholders (e.g., government, businesses, public) through such content.