Research on Misinformation and Disinformation Training Course

Research on Misinformation and Disinformation Training Course

Introduction

In the digital age, the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation has become a global threat, influencing public opinion, disrupting democratic processes, and affecting mental and social well-being. Researchers and journalists must be equipped with the skills to ethically, accurately, and sensitively investigate these volatile areas without compromising integrity or safety. This course provides a cutting-edge foundation for navigating the challenges of conducting sensitive research, especially in the context of fake news, propaganda, and digital manipulation.

Research on Misinformation and Disinformation Training Course empowers participants with robust methodologies to identify, analyze, and report on misinformation trends across social media, traditional platforms, and underground networks. Participants will learn fact-checking techniques, media forensics, source verification, psychosocial impact evaluation, and AI-aided detection systems, tailored for both global and local contexts. Real-world case studies, risk mitigation frameworks, and practical applications anchor the course in real-time social relevance and research integrity.

Course Objectives

1. Understand the psychological roots of misinformation and public susceptibility.
2. Identify and track disinformation networks across digital platforms.
3. Analyze algorithmic amplification of fake news and propaganda.
4. Employ digital forensics and open-source intelligence (OSINT) in research.
5. Apply ethical guidelines for researching vulnerable groups and sensitive content.
6. Evaluate the impact of misinformation on elections, health, and security.
7. Learn AI-powered misinformation detection tools and techniques.
8. Develop resilient research strategies for high-risk environments.
9. Create evidence-based reports on sensitive misinformation topics.
10. Mitigate personal and digital security risks during field research.
11. Explore case law and media policy frameworks regulating disinformation.
12. Use cross-disciplinary methods for contextual misinformation analysis.
13. Master fact-checking frameworks and counter-narrative techniques.

Target Audiences

1. Investigative Journalists
2. Academic Researchers
3. Human Rights Advocates
4. Data Scientists & Analysts
5. Policy Makers & Government Officers
6. Social Media Monitors
7. NGO Workers & Crisis Communicators
8. Cybersecurity & Information Warfare Experts

Course Duration: 5 days

Course Modules

Module 1: Understanding Misinformation Ecosystems

• Definitions: misinformation vs disinformation vs malinformation
• Types of misinformation: health, politics, climate, etc.
• Psychological biases and cognitive dissonance
• Media echo chambers and filter bubbles
• Role of influencers and bots
• Case Study: COVID-19 Infodemic in Sub-Saharan Africa

Module 2: Digital Tools for Detection and Analysis

• Social listening and analytics platforms
• Fact-checking databases and tools (e.g. Snopes, FactCheck.org)
• Image and video verification techniques
• Metadata and deepfake analysis
• Open-source intelligence (OSINT) workflows
• Case Study: Tracking Election Disinformation in Kenya (2022)

Module 3: Algorithmic Amplification & Platform Accountability

• How algorithms push false narratives
• Virality metrics and engagement loops
• Responsibility of tech companies
• Digital advertising and monetization of fake news
• Policy interventions and global case studies
• Case Study: Facebook's Role in Myanmar Disinformation Crisis

Module 4: Ethics in Researching Sensitive Topics

• Consent and confidentiality in volatile environments
• Trauma-informed research practices
• Avoiding harm and re-traumatization
• Dealing with hate speech and violent content
• Balancing transparency with researcher safety
• Case Study: Interviewing Radicalized Youth Online

Module 5: Counter-Misinformation Strategies

• Prebunking and debunking frameworks
• Narrative correction strategies
• Collaborating with local communities and media
• Media literacy and education initiatives
• Counter-speech campaigns and influencer engagement
• Case Study: UNDP’s Digital Literacy Campaign in East Africa

Module 6: AI and Machine Learning in Misinformation Research

• Introduction to AI-driven detection tools
• NLP and sentiment analysis for misinformation patterns
• Deep learning for identifying coordinated inauthentic behavior
• Risks of AI bias and false positives
• Using ChatGPT & other LLMs ethically in research
• Case Study: MIT’s Use of GPT Models to Track Vaccine Misinformation

Module 7: Security, Risk Management, and Digital Safety

• Online harassment and doxing protection
• Secure communication platforms (e.g. Signal, ProtonMail)
• VPNs, encryption, and data hygiene
• Crisis planning and exit strategies in fieldwork
• Organizational risk audits and backups
• Case Study: Journalist Surveillance in Authoritarian Regimes

Module 8: Reporting, Advocacy, and Impact

• Turning research into policy recommendations
• Writing with clarity, credibility, and caution
• Data visualization for misinformation mapping
• Collaborating with advocacy groups and fact-checkers
• Measuring research impact on awareness and change
• Case Study: Policy Shift After BBC Africa Eye Documentary

Training Methodology

• Hands-on sessions with misinformation tracking tools
• Interactive workshops on ethical field research
• Group-based real-time social media investigations
• Multimedia analysis (images, videos, deepfakes)
• Role-play simulations for interviewing and field scenarios
• Case study analysis with peer reviews and expert feedback

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.