Information Support for Statistical Studies of Social Media

Abstract

The aim of the article is to review the main information sources and assess the reliability, relevance and timeliness of statistical information to provide a reasoned study of the development of social media. To achieve this aim, various popular websites containing statistics on the topic “social media” are analyzed. The information sources of social media in the modern world are considered, issues of relevance and reliability of statistical data are raised. The necessity of decentralizing the information environment for conducting statistical research in a rapidly progressing society is substantiated. It is determined that the information market is influenced by the main trends caused by the development of technologies, the commoditization of data and the availability of data transfer services, as well as changes in the methods for obtaining information. It is noted that the development of “big data” has sharply increased the possibility of obtaining reliable empirical data from non-traditional sources of information. In combination with powerful algorithms, this leads to the fact that large volumes of low cost structured and unstructured information are available for analysis. The statistical information and data in digital format, collected in real time from various sources, is the key to the further development of the methodology for statistical research. The sources of information are evaluated based on the criteria of reliability, clarity for users, ease of use, comparability and completeness of information. Three main groups of information sources, consistent use of which ensures reliability and improves the quality of statistical analysis of social media, are singled out.

Keywords

• social media
• websites
• information sources
• statistical analysis
• data reliability
• data relevance
• decentralized environment