Disinformation Detection: Developing a Categorical Framework Through Thematic Analysis

In recent years, disinformation has become a significant problem in the media environment. The topic is therefore increasingly relevant in recent research, and authors approach it in different ways. This research aims to provide an answer to the need for a deeper understanding of how to detect and combat disinformation. The primary purpose of this research is to identify and systematize key categories that enable the detection of disinformation, providing a solid framework for combating this ubiquitous challenge. The qualitative method of thematic analysis was used to analyze the relevant literature and articles published in the period from 2011 to 2024. Thematic analysis was chosen because of its ability to successfully systematize key categories and create an adequate theoretical framework. The results of the research revealed eight key categories for the detection of disinformation: harm level, source checking, linguistic, syntactic, psycho-linguistic, style, visual and social context categories. These categories offer a systematic approach to recognizing disinformation from different perspectives, and the research itself emphasizes the importance of collaboration between people and analysis software. The research represents a comprehensive theoretical framework that not only contributes to the academic debate, but also serves as a foundation for future educational materials and experimental research.