Because minorities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, researchers are looking at how they learn about the pandemic. Auburn University has received a National Science Foundation grant to study a variety of demographics in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Research leader and Assistant Professor at Auburn University, Dr. Kelly Dunning says people of all income ranges will be interviewed.
“So, we’re looking at a range of differences and just looking at how those people receive information and how they are self-reporting they’ve responded,” says Dunning.
Dunning says their research will also include populations that speak foreign languages.
“Are they getting information in their language that they tend to speak there? Is the messaging written in a way or delivered in a way that people tend to view messages?” says Dunning.
The study will compare how different populations receive their information, via print, television, radio, or social media and which format they trust.
“There’s a lot of data out there that shows that Americans are more predisposed to believing conspiracy theories than any other nation in the world. And I think it’s just because we have a lot of easy access to a lot of information,” says Dunning.
The year-long study will interview 5,000 people over the course of a year, and they hope to begin publishing results in Spring 2021.
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