Exploring how online political quizzes boost interest in politics, political news, and political engagement

Gina Masullo Chen, Yee Man Margaret Ng, Martin J. Riedl, Victoria Y. Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study sought to understand whether people’s exposure to online quiz questions about politics could pique people’s interest in political news and politics. An online experiment (N = 585) showed support for a mediation model that demonstrated the psychological process by which taking an online political quiz could boost interest in political news and politics. Results showed that exposure to the quiz indirectly increased interest in politics and political news and intention to get politically engaged, mediated through perception of political knowledge. Results are discussed in relation to the benefits of interactivity as an engagement tool for news websites and shed light on how the mere exposure effect operates online.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)33-47
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Information Technology and Politics
Volume17
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2 2020

Keywords

  • Political news
  • online news
  • political engagement
  • political participation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Computer Science
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Public Administration

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