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Using Grounded Theory to Identify Online Public Opinion in China to Improve Risk Management-The Case of COVID-19.
Zhang, Chao; Ma, Ning; Sun, Guohui.
  • Zhang C; Publicity Department of Party Committee, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
  • Ma N; Graduate School, Communication University of China, Beijing 100024, China.
  • Sun G; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment and Viral Oncology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 19(22)2022 Nov 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2110079
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

During the outbreak of COVID-19, online public opinion related to the epidemic was rapidly generated and developed rapidly. If some online public opinions cannot be effectively responded to and guided, it will bring risks to social order. The government should understand how to use information on social media to grasp public demands, provide useful information in a timely manner and take countermeasures. Studying the formation mechanism of online public opinion during the outbreak can help the government make scientific decisions and improve risk management capabilities.

METHODS:

The research selects the public opinion information of online platforms represented by WeChat, online communities, Sina Weibo and search engines, involving 75 relevant texts (1 January to 31 March 2022). According to the grounded theory method, using the QSR NVivo12 qualitative research software, the collected network texts were successively researched using open coding, axial coding and theoretical coding.

RESULTS:

The structure of online public opinion during the COVID-19 epidemic was obtained. The operation mechanism of the online public opinion system about COVID-19 was mainly affected by the interaction of online public opinion objects, online public opinion subjects, online public opinion intermediaries and government forces. It was based on social facts and citizens' appeals as the starting point, subject behaviors and prevention and control measures as the focus, government's governance as macro-control and citizens' evaluation as the guide.

CONCLUSIONS:

Scientific analysis of online public opinion is an important tool to identify and manage risks and improve the quality of government activities. Online public opinion has the function of assisting government decision-making, and the government can identify the important information reflected in it, especially the mainstream public opinion, as a reference for decision-making. By taking effective measures and properly responding to citizens' reasonable demands, the government can prevent social risks and avoid new negative public opinions. Contributions According to the characteristics of the basic model of online public opinion, this study provides risk mitigation suggestions for Chinese public sectors to use online public opinion, optimize epidemic prevention policies and formulate strategic measures.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Public Opinion / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ijerph192214754

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Public Opinion / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ijerph192214754