Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41370786›Full record

ArticleJournal of medical Internet research2025

Ethical Considerations for the Use of Social Media in the Human Subjects Research Setting.

Tara Coffin

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of medical Internet research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

1 author.

Tara CoffinInstitutional Review Board, WCG Clinical, 5000 Centregreen Way, Suite 200, Cary, NC, 27513, United States, 1 360-252-2418.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1446-5792

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Unlabelled: The integration of social media into human subjects research offers significant opportunities for data collection, disease surveillance, and participant recruitment. However, it also poses a number of ethical challenges. This article evaluates the dual nature of social media as a research tool, highlighting its potential benefits while also addressing concerns about exacerbating health disparities, compromising participant privacy and confidentiality, challenging expectations around participant disclosure, and perpetuating discriminatory practices. By exploring issues related to equity and privacy, this article discusses the implications of digital recruitment and online behavioral advertising, underscoring the vital role of institutional review boards in ensuring ethical standards are upheld. Furthermore, this work proposes key strategies for researchers and regulatory authorities, emphasizing community engagement, transparency, and inclusive recruitment practices. The analysis aims to guide stakeholders in navigating the ethical complexities of digital research, fostering transparency, trust, and accountability in the realm of human subjects research.

Indexed as

Human ExperimentationResearch SubjectsSocial MediaConfidentialityEthics, ResearchHumansPatient SelectionPrivacyconfidentialitydata collectionethical challengeshuman subjects researchinstitutional review boardsIRBsparticipant rightsprivacysocial media

Identifiers

PMID41370786
PMCPMC12694948

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.