Vandelanotte Corneel, Maher Carol A
Am J Health Promot. 2015 Nov-Dec;30(2):74-6. doi: 10.4278/ajhp.141204-CIT-605.
Despite their popularity and potential to promote health in large populations, the effectiveness of online social networks (e.g., Facebook) to improve health behaviors has been somewhat disappointing. Most of the research examining the effectiveness of such interventions has used randomized controlled trials (RCTs). It is asserted that the modest outcomes may be due to characteristics specific to both online social networks and RCTs. The highly controlled nature of RCTs stifles the dynamic nature of online social networks. Alternative and ecologically valid research designs that evaluate online social networks in real-life conditions are needed to advance the science in this area.
尽管在线社交网络（如脸书）广受欢迎且有潜力在大量人群中促进健康，但其改善健康行为的效果却有些令人失望。大多数研究此类干预措施有效性的研究都采用了随机对照试验（RCT）。有人认为，成效不显著可能是由于在线社交网络和随机对照试验所特有的特征。随机对照试验的高度可控性抑制了在线社交网络的动态特性。需要采用替代的、具有生态效度的研究设计，在现实生活条件下评估在线社交网络，以推动该领域的科学发展。
