By Adesina Wahab

A study conducted by communication scholars has shown that the use of data generated through digital platforms in communication research raises ethical challenges.

The study was conducted by Ijeh Patrick Nkemdilim and Ese Steven Umukoro both of Delta State University, Abraka; Hannah Emuobosa Ivwighren of Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State; and Lydia I. Uwayah of Michael and Cecilia Ibru, University, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, Nigeria.

The researchers collected data for the study from 400 postgraduate students from higher education institutions in Delta State with access to digital media.

They found that although digital media platforms have been found useful for data collection, they have also raised ethical issues like misinformation, data privacy, and difficulties in complying with ethical requirements in research.

The researchers, therefore, suggested that communication researchers who use digital media platforms for data collection must consider ethical requirements and comply with the highest level of research integrity. They also advocated training for researchers to guide them on how to use digital media for research effectively.

The study was published in the special issue of Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, a Scopus-indexed journal established by Dr Gever Verlumun, a Nigerian communication scholar from the Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. A grant from the Centre for Advanced Internet Studies, Bochum, Germany, supported the special issue titled “Digital media and research in 21st-century society: Assessing the current trends and projecting the future.” The title of the research article is “Digital media and research integrity in communication  research in Nigeria.”