Table 2 Outcome variables with internal consistencies, descriptions, and items.
From: The processing and evaluation of news content on social media is influenced by peer-user commentary
Variable; Internal consistency | Description | Items (i.e., statements) |
|---|---|---|
Personal attitude; Cronbach’s alpha = 0.81 | Disposition of the reader towards the article | “I feel positive about the article” |
“I consider this news to be valuable” | ||
“I like this article” | ||
Share intent Cronbach’s alpha = 0.86 | Expected behavioural/social response | “I would recommend this article to my friends” |
“I would hit the Like button” | ||
“I would share this article with my friends” | ||
Ideological congruence (ideologically congruent article); Cronbach’s alpha = 0.77* | The extent to which the reader agrees with ideas conveyed in the article about climate activist Greta Thunberg | “Greta Thunberg is doing great work as an environmental activist” |
“Greta Thunberg’s meeting with Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, was a success” | ||
“Justin Trudeau will act on climate and support Great Thunberg’s cause” | ||
Ideological congruence (ideologically neutral article); Cronbach’s alpha = 0.77* | The extent to which the reader agrees with ideas conveyed in the article about a tropical storm | “Hurricane Lorenzo is dangerous” |
“People should prepare for Hurricane Lorenzo” | ||
“People should be concerned about the potential impact of Hurricane Lorenzo” | ||
Ideological congruence (ideologically incongruent); Cronbach’s alpha = 0.77* | The extent to which the reader agrees with ideas conveyed in the article about violent videogames and aggression | “Violent video games induce aggressive behaviour” |
“Kids who play violent video games think violence is acceptable in real life” | ||
“Parents should limit their kids’ exposure to violent video games” | ||
Perceived public attitude (i.e., bandwagon perception); Cronbach’s alpha = 0.85 | The reader’s perception of the general public’s opinion about the article | “The general public feels positive about this article” |
“The general public considers this news to be valuable” | ||
“The general public likes this article” | ||
Credibility; Cronbach’s alpha = 0.81 | The readers perception of the credibility of the article’s content | “How well do the following words describe the article’s content?”— “Accurate”—“Authentic”—“Believable” (Three separate items) |
