A team from Robert Gordon University is carrying out research to determine whether ‘fake news’ plays a part in Scottish politics.
The researchers are conducting a survey to explore people’s opinions on the reliability of information presented as fact by political figures in Scotland.
Participants will be invited to comment on five images containing information posted on social media by the main political parties in Scotland.
The study is being led by Professor Rita Marcella, Dr Graeme Baxter and MSc placement student Agnieszka Walicka.
The research will be carried out independently, and on an unfunded basis.
It will build on previous studies of the ways in which political parties and politicians in Scotland use the internet to communicate with voters during election campaigns.
The surveys will be considered alongside interviews with Aberdeen locals to gather views on their perception of facts.
The results will eventually be published in academic journals and in conference papers.
Dr Baxter said: “Much has been said about the part that ‘fake news’ and ‘alternative facts’ played in the Brexit campaign and the US presidential election. We’re interested in how citizens gauge the reliability of the so-called ‘facts’ that Scottish politicians and parties present on a daily basis, and how they might go about verifying or debunking these ‘facts’.”
The survey can be accessed at
https://www.surveymonkey.co
. uk/r/RGUaltfacts. All responses will be completely anonymous.
The survey closes on Monday.