Reliability and trust perception of users on social media posts related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

The study examined the different parameters to determine the reliability and trust perception of users on the social media posts about COVID-19. Responses were collected from randomly selected social media users using structured close-ended questions. The study examined the underpinned hypothesis by the Goffman's theory and Bourdieu's theory. Hypothesis testing was done using Chi-square test to analyze the different parameters, to test the reliability and trust perception of users on social media posts. Our analysis showed that the parameters such as source authenticity, cross-checking of information, real-time news etc were not dependent on frequency of use of social media by respondents. It was found that most of the social media posts about COVID-19 were not so reliable and trustworthy. However, social media posts which are shared by competent persons such as doctors, medical practitioners etc. were trusted by the people. We believe our research will be beneficial in understanding the perception of users toward social media in case of a disease outbreak such as COVID-19.