“Aprendo Aqui o que Não Aprendo em Mais Lado Nenhum”: Análise de uma Comunidade Online na Área da Saúde

Aldina Margato; Jorge Vieira

doi:10.17231/volesp(2025).5968

Authors

Aldina Margato Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal/Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Coimbra, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8908-1975
Jorge Vieira Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1130-3731

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17231/volesp(2025).5968

Keywords:

online community, online participation, collective intelligence, digital inclusion, trust in social networks

Abstract

This article aims to analyse the dynamics underlying communication within an online health community focused on carers, titled “Vencer Autismo” (Overcoming Autism). The community’s central platform was a Facebook page, supported by a weekly live programme moderated by moderators. A qualitative research approach was adopted, employing digital ethnography and interviews. The empirical study spanned over nine months, from September 2022 to May 2023, with the primary phase consisting of 10 weeks of digital ethnography, followed by 10 interviews. The analysis of the relationships between identified elements revealed that the knowledge shared within the community is viewed as rare by its members. This knowledge is based on lived experiences, with an emphasis on practical learning, testing, and irreverent discourse. Regular interactions were found to strengthen relationships, while the sense of inclusion served as a unifying force. Trust, another key theme, was found to be volatile — and in constant development — reliant on minimal factors such as moderators refraining from commenting on topics outside their expertise. Transparency emerged as a shared value within the community. The role of moderators was also recognised, with their participation justified in ensuring that interactions remain respectful.

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Author Biographies

Aldina Margato, Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal/Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Coimbra, Portugal

Aldina Margato is a PhD student in Communication Sciences at the University Institute of Lisbon. She is a member of the Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology. She has contributed to European projects such as the Iberian Digital Media Observatory, Com-Boost – Public Value and Communicational Boost of European Funds and Decoding Algorithms. She is also a guest lecturer on the Journalism degree programme at the Instituto Superior Miguel Torga. With over 20 years of experience as a journalist, she was the deputy editor for “Culture and Society” at Jornal de Notícias and collaborated with Expresso for two years. She holds two degrees, one in Philosophy and the other in Journalism, along with a master’s in Journalism and Communication from the University of Coimbra.

Jorge Vieira, Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

Jorge Vieira is an assistant professor at the University Institute of Lisbon. He holds a PhD in Sociology and serves on the board of the Master’s programme in Communication, Culture, and Information Technologies, as well as the Lab for Innovation in Academy. He is a member of the scientific committee for the Department of Sociology and the PhD programme in Communication Sciences. In addition to his teaching and academic management roles, he conducts research as an integrated researcher at the Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology, participating in various national and international projects. In 2017, he was awarded the Paquete de Oliveira Award – the National Excellence Award for Doctoral Theses in Portuguese Universities.

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