| Approved on: | 2026-03-19 |
| Brief purpose of the study: | The purpose of this study is to explore how individuals evaluate the quality and credibility of messages regarding controversial social issues on social media platforms. The research aims to understand the mechanisms of information processing to improve future news release efforts. |
| Brief summary of what participants will be asked to do: | Participants will complete an online survey involving three main parts:
Providing general background information on media habits and perspectives on current events.
Viewing a specific post from a social media platform and evaluating its content and source.
Completing a questionnaire regarding their perceptions and basic non-identifying demographics.
The entire process takes approximately 8–10 minutes. |
| Basic eligibility criteria: | Must be a current undergraduate student at the University of Missouri.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must utilize social media for information. |
| Study contact for more information: | Principal Investigator: Wen-Jian Huang Email: whcft@umsystem.edu Phone: 573-507-1658 |
| IRB Number: | 2131660 MU |
