Background: Google Trends is a widely used tool for infodemiological surveys. However, irregularities in the random sampling and aggregation algorithms compromise the reliability of the relative search volume (RSV) and the regional online interest (ROI).
Objective: The study aims to unmask methodological criticalities commonly ignored in carrying out infodemiological surveys via Google Trends. A guide to avoiding these shortcomings is also provided.
Material And Methods: The Google Topic "Coronavirus disease 2019" has been investigated using different timelapses, categories, and IP addresses. The same samples were manually collected multiple times to evaluate the RSV and ROI stability. Stability was estimated through indicators of variability (e.g., coefficient of percentage variation "CV%" and its 4-surprisal interval "4-I"). The content aggregation capacity of the algorithms relating to topics and categories was evaluated through the quantitative analysis of RSV and ROI and the qualitative examination of the related queries.
Results: The stability of Google Trends' RSV and ROI is not linked exclusively to the dataset dimension or the IP address. Subregional datasets can be highly unstable (e.g., CV% = 10, 4-I: [8,13]). Google Trends categories and topics can exclude relevant queries or include unnecessary queries. The statistical scenario is consistent with the following hypotheses: i) datasets containing too few queries are highly unstable, ii) the "interest over time" data format is generally reliable for evaluating trends and correlations, iii) Google Trends improvements have altered the RSV historical trends.
Conclusions: Google Trends can be an effective and efficient infodemiological tool as long as the reliability of web search indexes is appropriately analyzed and weighted for the scientific goal. The methodological steps discussed in this study are critical to drawing valid and relevant scientific conclusions.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2024.105563 | DOI Listing |
Popul Health Metr
December 2024
Bioinformatics Group, Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Defense Research and Development Organization, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi, India.
Seasonal variations in the environment induce observable changes in the human physiological system and manifest as various clinical symptoms in a specific human population. Our earlier studies predicted four global severe seasonal sensitive comorbid lifestyle diseases (SCLDs), namely, asthma, obesity, hypertension, and fibrosis. Our studies further indicated that the SCLD category of the human population may be maladapted or unacclimatized to seasonal changes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPeerJ
December 2024
Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Introduction: There is no clear literature present till date assessing the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries and associated factors in children living in Arab countries. The purpose of this study was to systematically assess the prevalence, trends, and potential risk factors of traumatic dental injury (TDI) in permanent teeth among children and adolescents in Arab countries.
Methods: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
Ethiop J Health Sci
October 2024
Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Background: Radiology is an essential component of modern medicine and a rapidly evolving research field. The nature and dynamic of radiology research in Ethiopia remained largely unexplored This bibliometric scoping review was done to explore the current state of radiology research in Ethiopia.
Methods: Literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from inception to June 15, 2024.
Cureus
November 2024
Department of Dermatology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri-Chinchwad, IND.
Introduction Multiple sclerosis (MS) afflicts over 2.8 million individuals worldwide and is a leading cause of neurological impairment in young adults. This study investigates the public interest in MS and its treatment options in the United States over the past decade, utilizing Google Trends data.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Infect Public Health
December 2024
First Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy; Centre for Multidisciplinary Research in Health Science (MACH), University of Milan, Italy.
Background: Large-scale diagnostic testing has been proven ineffective for prompt monitoring of the spread of COVID-19. Electronic resources may facilitate enhanced early detection of epidemics. Here, we aimed to retrospectively explore whether examining trends in the use of emergency and healthcare services and the Google search engine is useful in detecting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus outbreaks early compared with the currently used swab-based surveillance system.
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