When most people say they are doing their "own research" today, especially on the COVID Vaccine, they don't mean they're yearning for other phenomena that could explain the results, sceptically and scientifically. All they mean is that they enter the words "COVID Vaccine" into Google and read up on it. They are not conducting any scientific experiments or collecting data. Unfortunately, most of them do not think critically or understand the scientific method. They have primarily been trained in communication, politics, business, accounts, arts, etc. and fail to realise science is a totally different kettle of fish. They are not doing research the way we scientists would define it. They just mean that they would look deeper into it or, in some cases, just look at it again.
Regarding the Scientific Method, Aristotle is often credited with inventing it; it analyses the logical implications in demonstrative discourse, goes beyond natural logic, and does not depend on earlier philosophers. The method of thinking is quite different from that of the average non-science-trained person, as you have to be sceptical and take nothing for granted. So you will have to review your results and analyse the data.
However, doing your own research involves collecting data (ideally in a way that reduces bias and error, such as a double-blind study), analysing it, and interpreting the results without bias. For example, anyone involved in research has to take a mini statistics course first, which also involves learning how to read and understand data. You deliberately try to "falsify" your result, i.e., find ways other phenomena could have explained the results. For example, you come across things like the "Null Hypothesis". As a scientist, you have to have a sceptical mind, because after your "research", people must be able to duplicate your results from all over the world as long as the conditions are met.
The Google algorithm works like this: it shows you what you've searched for before. Social media gains from you spending as much time as possible on your computer. This is its business model, and it does it for profit. Social Media companies have found that you become more engaged when emotion is involved. The system predicts what you'll be more interested in based on what you've searched for and looked at before. For example, if you were interested in Cats before, all the latest cat videos and downloads would appear on your first page; articles related to Cats, and you may have the false impression that everybody is only interested in cat videos. For example, cats would be bathing, fighting, eating, sleeping, etc. The number may go into the hundreds of Cat videos downloaded daily worldwide in China, Japan, the US, the UK, South Africa, etc. You may come away with the impression that everyone else is watching cat videos, that people only download Cat Videos, and that you only have time for Cat Videos. This is the definition of presenting a biased view, and it can lead to confirmation bias. This can be corrected by resetting Google settings, but few people know how and are uninterested.
Of Course, there is the political element, especially in the US Republican Party. A significant subgroup peddles conspiracies about lizard people ruling the world, the New World Order, QAnon, etc. It was essential for small government and low taxes. An Evangelical anti-science movement in the US is tied to the withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and has a more introspective view of the world. Their breakthrough treatments for COVID are colloidal silver, Ivermectin, Bleach, and Hydroxychloroquine. Of Course, some of them are more educated and will request Monoclonal antibodies. "Because of their ease of delivery and low cost, the vaccines are going to outweigh [monoclonal] antibodies in many situations". But many people still refuse the vaccines and prefer antibodies and other treatments.
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