Making sense of news in a hybrid media environment

Summary

This research examines how Canadians, on different sides of the political spectrum or contested issues, regularly receive and interact with news. It explores how trust shapes their news use and whether their news use, in turn, contributes toward their participation in political and public issues. This research specifically interviews Albertans who either (1.) voted for the United Conservative Party (UCP) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the most recent provincial election and (2.) support or oppose fossil fuel extraction in the province.

This research brings critical awareness to reasons and conditions for Canadians' trust and selection of news across different media (e.g., print, broadcast, digital, social media) and, by extension, their connection to the public world. In doing so, it explains (1.) why recent statistical data shows more Canadians mistrusting the professional news media and (2.) whether their choice of news relates, in any way, to widening divisions in Canadian society.

Eligibility

Currently recruiting participants: Yes

Eligible gender: Male, Female, Transgender, Other

Eligible ages: 18 to 75

Accepts healthy participants: Yes

Inclusion criteria:

This research is recruiting Albertans who either:
(1.) voted for the United Conservative Party (UCP) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) the most recent provincial election
(2.) support or oppose fossil fuel extraction in the province.

Researchers want to talk with respondents across:
(i.) Different ages (18-35, 35-55 or over 55)
(ii.) Genders
(iii.) Education statuses (attended/attending a university or not)
(iv.) Communities (rural or urban)
(v.) Income brackets

Participate

Fill out the following form if you want to participate in this research

Method of contact

Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, please visit our Access to Information page.

Additional information

Contact information

Maria Bakardjieva, principal investigator Email: bakardji@ucalgary.ca Jian Chung Lee, research assistant Email: jianchung.lee@ucalgary.ca Phone: 587-581-1188

Principal investigator:

Maria Bakardjieva

Clinical trial:

No

REB-ID:

REB24-0002