Predictors of the authenticity of Internet health rumours.
BACKGROUND
The Internet is becoming an important source of health information; however, unverified health rumours may be included in health-related search results. There is a critical need to provide health information seekers with methods that are specifically geared towards the identification of the authenticity of health rumours.


METHODS
Using 453 health rumours collected from a definitive online reference of rumours in China, this study investigates which features contribute to distinguishing between true and false rumours with a logistic regression model.


RESULTS
There are measurable differences between true and false health rumours on the Internet. The lengths of rumour headlines and statements and the presence of pictures are negatively correlated to the probability that a rumour is true, whereas a rumour is more likely to be true if it contains elements such as numbers, source cues and hyperlinks. Finally, dread health rumours are more likely to be true than wish ones.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the growing number of studies on rumours, the identification of the authenticity of rumours has received little attention. This study proposes some rules of thumb to help online users ascertain rumour veracity and make decisions.
School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China.
Zili
Z
Zhang
School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China.
Ziqiong
Z
Zhang
School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
Hengyun
H
Li
D002681:China; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards*; D011642:Publications / Q000592:standards*; D035502:Trust
Internet; health information needs; information seeking behaviour; patient information