The Investigation of Health-Related Topics on TikTok: A Descriptive Study Protocol

The social media application TikTok allows users to view and upload short-form videos. Recent evidence suggests it has significant potential for both industry health promoters influence public behaviours. This protocol describes a standardised, replicable process investigations that can be tailored various areas of research interest, allowing comparison content features across topics. first 50 appearing videos in each five relevant hashtags are sampled analysis. Utilising codebook with detailed definitions, engagement metadata variables applicable any area is captured, including an assessment the video’s overall sentiment (positive, negative, neutral). Additional specific coding developed provide targeted information about posted within selected hashtags. A descriptive, cross-sectional analysis applied generic data collected topic area. flexible replicated health-related may have wider on other platforms or assess changes over time. was by collaborative team child development researchers series Findings will used inform promotion messaging counter-advertising.