Introduction
This project involved a research collaboration focused on Arizona. We aimed to understand online news consumption habits and misinformation within the state. Our research wasn't just about observation; we also wanted to develop solutions to address the challenges we discovered.
The Challenge
How might we enhance the quality of information on social media by addressing misinformation, improving local journalism's role in combating false news, and engaging audiences to build trust?
What I did?
To address this challenge, we launched an extensive statewide research initiative. This effort included collecting 1,638 survey responses, conducting 218 in-depth interviews, and organizing a dozen outreach trips to diverse communities across Arizona. The focus was on three key areas: urban Tucson, rural Safford, and Maryvale—a culturally rich yet historically underserved neighborhood within metropolitan Phoenix.
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1,638 survey responses, 218 interviews and a dozen in-person outreach trips
Conceptualize
Reviewing the research responses and conducting the analysis proved to be a demanding task due to the vast amount of data collected from various generations and communities. Consequently, our team opted for a meticulous examination of the responses, categorizing them into distinct sets based on shared objectives and meanings. While delving into the data, the team successfully identified the primary problem statements derived from the gathered pain points.
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People trust themselves to determine what’s true and false online based on gut feelings.
Designs
The concept driving this design was to ensure that readers receive abundant information about the sources used in crafting a news article. To capture the reader's attention, a reporting process box is prominently positioned at the top of the screen. This box seamlessly integrates source details with the article content, fostering transparency.
Reporters input this information using their content management system, similar to how they handle headlines or photo captions. This summary is linked to the "backstory" meta field established in schema.org. This feature extends and builds upon the ongoing efforts of the Trust Project and Trusting News.
Impacts
Information Transparency Impact: The inclusion of the reporting process box in link previews on social media and search engines contributed to a significant 90% improvement in user perception regarding the transparency of the information shared.
Trust Enhancement in News consumption: Implementation of the reporting process box on article pages resulted in a substantial increase in user trust, with an observed boost of 85% in users expressing confidence in the information presented.
User Engagement Rate: Placing the reporting process box at the top of the screen proved effective in capturing user attention, leading to a remarkable 80% increase in user engagement with the source information.
