Methodology

Research Methodology Approach

The survey instrument is designed to generate quantitative data, which facilitates straightforward analysis through statistical methods. This quantitative approach allows the research team to objectively measure and compare the impact of conspiracy theories across different demographics and political affiliations.

The research methodology chosen for this study is a carefully designed online-administered survey. This method was selected for its efficiency, broad reach, and the ability to maintain respondent anonymity, which is very important in studies dealing with sensitive topics such as the impact and spread of conspiracy theories. To achieve a diverse and representative sample, the survey will be distributed through multiple approach methods that target both modern and traditional channels of communication.

The study seeks to include participants across a wide age range, from 18 years old to 55+. This age diversity allows for a comprehensive analysis of how age influences susceptibility to, and spread of, conspiracy theories online, as well as consumption habits among different age groups.

There are major benefits of using an online survey as the method for research. A study by Narayan, et al. (2019) highlights several advantages, including increased participant enjoyment, reduced social desirability bias, and the ease of filtering through responses to eliminate irrelevant data. These factors collectively contribute to the method in collecting high-quality, reliable data.

In summary, the methodology employed in this study is thoughtfully designed to address the research questions effectively. By combining online surveys with a strategic distribution approach, the research aims to gather data from a diverse and representative sample. The anonymity and confidentiality of the survey ensure the privacy of the data collected, while the quantitative nature of the survey facilitates a clear presentation of the findings. This methodological approach is expected to yield insightful results, contributing valuable knowledge to the field of conspiracy theory research

Participant Information

The integrity and confidentiality of participant information are very important in this study. The survey is designed to be completely confidential, ensuring no personally identifying information is collected. This anonymity is crucial for encouraging honest and organic responses, given the sensitive nature of the topic.

The survey aims to attract participants from a broad spectrum of political affiliations, with a focus on the major Democratic and Republican parties. This political diversity is vital for understanding the \ differences in conspiracy theory perception among different political groups.

The 18-24 age group is the most represented with 38 entries, constituting approximately 38% of the total. The 25-34 group is thesecond most common age range, with 31 individuals, making up about 31% of the group. The 35 - 54 group includes 21 people, accounting for roughly 21% of the total. The 55+ age bracket also has a significant representation, with 20 entries, which is about 20% of the overall data. This dataset showcases a predominantly younger demographic, with nearly 70% of the individuals falling below the age of 35. However, all age groups are fairly well represented, indicating a diverse age distribution among the participants.

Democratic individuals accounted for 66 of the respondents, which is the predominant political affiliation, making up 59% of the total. Republicans account for 15 people, representing about 14% of the group. There are 18 ndividuals who identify as Moderate on the political spectrum, accounting for 16% of the total. 9 individuals, making up 8% of the total, have specified affiliations outside the main categories, and 4 respondents chose not to disclose their political stance, comprising 3% of the total. This data reveals a strong Democratic preference among the respondents, with over half identifying as Democrats. Moderates and Republicans are also significantly represented, though to a lesser extent, while a smaller fraction of participants have opted for alternative affiliations or preferred not to disclose their political stance.

Instrument

Quantitative data lends itself well to visualization in the form of charts, tables, and graphs. These visual representations are not only more accessible and understandable to the average reader but also allow for the clear and concise representation of findings. Graphics serve as a massively valuable tool in translating complex datasets into essay-to-understand information, enhancing the digestibility of the research outcomes.

The digital distribution strategy includes posting the survey on popular social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Reddit. The survey will be shared using an anonymous link, in place to protect participant confidentiality. This link will be distributed to users across various states including Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Georgia, Texas, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, and Colorado, among others. In addition to social media, the research team plans to utilize SurveyCircle, an innovative platform designed to exchange survey participation among researchers worldwide. This approach not only diversifies the participants, but also ensures a broader geographic and demographic representation, which will help improve the survey's validity.

The primary objective of employing these varied distribution methods is to amass at least 100 usable survey entries. This quantity is deemed sufficient for conducting a valid analysis and drawing meaningful conclusions about the demographics most affected by online conspiracy theories.

For this research, the Qualtrics survey platform was used to administer the online survey. Qualtrics was chosen because of its friendliness and simplicity. The format of the survey was simple and simple for anyone of any technological background to complete.  In order to learn about the demographics of the participants, They were asked their age range as well as their political affiliation. Participants were then asked which short form video platform they have used. All questions related to short-form platforms were multiple choice select all that apply, with the options of the 5 most mainstream platforms. These platforms are TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Facebook Video, and Snapchat Spotlight. After that, the participants were asked which platforms they regularly see content that they suspect is misinformation, which platforms they feel do a good job at content moderation, and their thoughts on conspiracy theories online. After questions about their personal experiences with conspiracy theories and the possible dangers of them, participants were asked to select which theories they had (and had not) seen online.