Author and Date Aim Sample Size and Study Design Practices/Measures Tool Used Conclusion
of Publication Characteristics
Lauren Ellis, 2018 To determine how 10 parliamentary Content analysis Categorized into four Twitter and Social media was
effectively parliamentary candidates, social media of Twitter and main functions: Facebook predominantly used for
candidates used social posts analyzed from April Facebook posts. broadcasting, platforms. broadcasting rather than
media during the 2015 UK 13 to April 26, 2015; total organizing, interactive communication. Key
general election posts analyzed: 616. posters/infographics, differences were observed
campaign. interacting. between Twitter and Facebook
in terms of interactivity and
type of content posted.
Jonathan Bright, To evaluate the Almost 6,000 politicians Longitudinal Examining Twitter usage Twitter Twitter campaigning appears to
Scott Hale, effectiveness of Twitter- over two separate study and its correlation with positively influence vote
Bharath Ganesh, based campaigning in the election periods in the vote outcomes. outcomes.
et al., 2018 2015 and 2017 UK UK.
elections.
Anamaria To investigate the extent Data from Twitter one Content analysis Analysis of tweets to Twitter Citizens, not political parties,
Dutceac and manner in which week prior to the 2015 based on a classify and evaluate were the primary initiators of
Segesten, citizens use Twitter for British general election, developed political mobilization political mobilization on
Michael Bossetta political mobilization in an top 100 most retweeted typology of calls. Twitter, with significant activity
(2016) electoral context. accounts using #GE2015. political from nationalist party
participation. supporters.
Camiel Stempels, To explore the effect of British Election Survey Multinomial Analyzing transitions in British Social media usage was not
June 11, 2018 social media usage on data from post-2015 and logistic regression voting choice from 2015 Election found to have a significant
voting behavior in the UK. 2017 general elections. to 2017 and the role of Survey data effect on voting behavior,
social media. despite expectations of its
influence.
Jack Beaunier To explore social media's Eight semi-structured Qualitative Examining the impact of Twitter, Social media does not
and Anastasia influence on political interviews with research with social media on facebook significantly enhance
Veneti, 2020 participation among university students. thematic analysis traditional political traditional political
British youth. participation. participation among youth who
are already disinterested or
unengaged in politics.
Saba Munir, To analyze the role of Survey of 985 inhabitants Survey Examining the influence Facebook, Social media was effective in
Spring 2018 social media in shaping of Scotland and England of social media on other social changing the voting behavior of
voting behavior of youth young voters' behavior. media young voters in the Scottish
in the Scottish platforms Referendum 2014.
Independence
Referendum 2014.
Michael Bossetta, Investigate cross-cutting 2,198,741 comments Case study Analyzing Facebook Facebook Cross-cutting expression
Anamaria political expression on from 344,884 users on comments for political comments significantly correlates with
Dutceac social media during Brexit. Facebook arguments and reasoned political arguments.
Segesten & Duje engagement patterns.
Bonacci, 2023
aulo Rita, Nuno To investigate if sentiment Tweets mentioning Sentiment Sentiment analysis R and The sentiment from tweets did
António, Ana expressed in tweets can major political parties analysis comparing tweets' RapidMiner not reliably predict election
Patrícia Afonso, predict election outcomes and candidates during sentiment with actual for data results, and no definite impact
2023 and if it impacts voting the electoral period. election results to analysis. of social media on voting
decisions during the UK understand social decisions could be established.
General Elections 2019. media's impact on
voting decisions.
Yuriy Examine the role of bots Tweets related to the Data analysis Analysis of Twitter data Twitter API Bots had a measurable impact
Gorodnichenko, in shaping public opinions 2016 EU Referendum to assess the influence on the dissemination of
Tho Pham, on Twitter during Brexit and U.S. Presidential and diffusion of information and possibly
Oleksandr and the 2016 U.S. Election. information by bots. influenced public opinion
Talavera, 2018 Election. during the electoral events.
Critical Appraisal
Table categorizing the critical appraisal of the nine selected studies into qualitative, quantitative non-randomized, and quantitative descriptive
methods, using the appropriate appraisal questions for each study type:
1. Qualitative Studies Appraisal
Author and Date of Publication 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5
Jack Beaunier and Anastasia Veneti (2020) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Anamaria Dutceac Segesten and Michael Bossetta (2016) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
1.1: Both studies use a qualitative approach that is appropriate for exploring subjective experiences and perceptions about social media's
influence on political participation.
1.2: Adequate data collection methods (semi-structured interviews and content analysis) are used that align with the research aims.
1.3: Findings are directly derived from the data through thematic or content analysis.
1.4: Interpretations are well-supported by the data collected from interviews and Twitter content.
1.5: There is coherence across data sources, collection methods, analysis, and interpretation.
2. Quantitative Nonrandomized Studies Appraisal
Author and Date of Publication 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5
Camiel Stempels (2018) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Saba Munir (2018) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yuriy Gorodnichenko, Tho Pham, Oleksandr Talavera (2018) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
3.1: Participants in these studies are generally representative of the target populations (UK voters, social media users).
3.2: Outcome measurements (voting behavior, influence of bots) are appropriately chosen.
3.3: Complete outcome data are presented in the analyses.
3.4: Key confounders are considered in the designs and analyses.
3.5: Interventions (social media exposure) occurred as intended across study periods.
3. Quantitative Descriptive Studies Appraisal
Author and Date of Publication 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5
Lauren Ellis (2018) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Jonathan Bright et al. (2018) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Paulo Rita, Nuno António, Ana Patrícia Afonso (2023) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Anamaria Dutceac Segesten, Michael Bossetta, Duje Bonacci (2023) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
4.1: Sampling strategies are relevant and clearly outlined.
4.2: Samples are representative of the targeted populations (parliamentary candidates, Twitter users).
4.3: Appropriate measures (social media post analysis, sentiment analysis) are used.
4.4: Low risk of nonresponse bias is apparent, given the digital nature of data collection.
4.5: Statistical analyses are appropriate for addressing the research questions.
This structured approach ensures a comprehensive and standardized appraisal of the studies, aligning their methodologies with established
quality criteria for each type of research design.