Toward a new misinformation framework: a meta-narrative review of misinformation in communication studies

Abstract

While scholars have often bemoaned the myriad ways misinformation have been defined, little is known about the extent and significance of the conceptual differences between the various definitions. This thesis presents one of the few systematic reviews aimed at addressing this knowledge gap. Using a meta-narrative review of 70 studies published within the last ten years in communication studies, it found that existing conceptualizations of misinformation can be mapped to four distinct research traditions, namely the misinformation effect, the misinformed, fake news, as well as health and science misinformation. While misinformation is now generally accepted as a form of information, scholars still disagree on whether the absence of deceptive intent criterion is viable or even necessary. There is also significant dissensus on how to best conceptualize falsity – a particularly thorny contention given its far-reaching implications on the operationalization and downstream effects of misinformation. Based on these findings, a new misinformation framework is proposed to resolve the identified conceptual conflicts, demarcate a clearer conceptual boundary, advance misinformation research, and inform practice.