Investigating the Orientation of Scientific Research in the Field of Communication Policy and Planning to Counter the COVID-19 Infodemic Using Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The present study was conducted analytically and using a meta-analysis method to investigate the orientation of scientific research in the field of communication policy and planning to counter the COVID-19 infodemic. From a methodological perspective, this research falls under fundamental studies and utilizes a library-based approach for data collection, placing it within the domain of quantitative research. The statistical population of this study comprises all research carried out in Iran from 2011 onward and international research from 2010 onward on topics similar to the present study. Publication bias, heterogeneity of effect size, and the moderating role of the statistical population were examined using CMA software. The findings revealed that the estimated effect size lies within the confidence interval, confirming the orientation of scientific research in communication policy and planning to counter the COVID-19 infodemic. Based on the results of the current study, related studies and their outcomes can broadly be categorized into two groups: antecedents and consequences of infodemic communication planning. The results further demonstrated that extensive research has been conducted on various dimensions and significant variables, as well as their relationship with communication policy and planning to combat the infodemic, indicating that the issue has been examined from multiple perspectives.