Debate: We need data infrastructure as well as data sharing – conflicts of interest in video game research. Issue 1 (12th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zendle, David; Wardle, Heather
• Other Names: Gega Lina guestEditor.; Martin Jennifer guestEditor.; Sayal Kapil guestEditor.; Thabrew Hiran guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Child and adolescent mental health. Volume 28:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 155
• Page End: 157
• Publication Date: 2022-12-12
• Subjects: Large data -- ethics -- mental health -- public health; Adolescent psychology -- Periodicals; Child mental health -- Periodicals; Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; Child psychology -- Periodicals; Teenagers -- Mental health -- Periodicals; 155.405
• DOI: 10.1111/camh.12629
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-357X

Abstract

Abstract : Industry data sharing has the potential to revolutionise evidence on video gaming and mental health, as well as a host of other critical topics. However, collaborative data sharing agreements between academics and industry partners may also afford industry enormous power in steering the development of this evidence base. In this paper, we outline how nonfinancial conflicts of interest may emerge when industry share data with academics. We then go on to describe ways in which such conflicts may affect the quality of the evidence base. Finally, we suggest strategies for mitigating this impact and preserving research independence. We focus on the development of data infrastructure: technological, social, and educational architecture that facilitates unfettered and free access to the kinds of high‐quality data that industry hold, but without industry involvement.