Facebook offers COVID-19 self-reporting survey for epidemiologists’ research
In this article (5)
Facebook is offering a new way to help health organizations in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak. Now, VentureBeat reports about a new survey that Facebook’s users will be able to fill out and therefore provide info about the virus spread, as part of a research program done by Carnegie Mellon University.
The survey option will be available for American users as a link in the top section of the News Feed page. Researchers will be able to identify places in need for medical resources as well as create maps with self-reported coronavirus infections. Facebook stated that if the approach is successful, the method can be used in other countries as well.
Additionally, Facebook stated that Carnegie Mellon researchers will not share responses to the survey with Facebook and Facebook will not share information with the researchers too.
To further help organizations fight the pandemic, Facebook provides aggregated data to epidemiologists via its Disease Prevention Maps. Based on the data, researchers can offer information on people’s mobility in different areas to local authorities.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which users will be able to complete the new self-reporting survey?
Which users will be able to complete the new self-reporting survey?
The survey option will initially be available for American users. It will appear as a link in the top section of their News Feed page to encourage participation in the research programme.
Q.What is the purpose of the data collected from the self-reporting survey?
What is the purpose of the data collected from the self-reporting survey?
Researchers aim to use the self-reported information to identify areas requiring medical resources. The data will also allow them to create maps illustrating the spread of coronavirus infections across different locations.
Q.Will Facebook have access to the individual responses from the survey?
Will Facebook have access to the individual responses from the survey?
No, Facebook stated that Carnegie Mellon researchers will not share individual survey responses with them. Conversely, Facebook will also not share any information with the researchers, ensuring data separation.
Q.How else is Facebook assisting health organisations during the pandemic?
How else is Facebook assisting health organisations during the pandemic?
Beyond the survey, Facebook provides aggregated data to epidemiologists through its Disease Prevention Maps. This data helps researchers offer local authorities insights into people's mobility patterns in various areas.
Reader pulse
Is Facebook's survey a valuable tool for public health?
24,269 votes so far