Select and review a recent scholarly journal article related to trends and/or the relationship between media and politics- and policy-related public opinion. Include in your review a discussion of how the work relates to this week’s required readings—e.g. how its methodology and findings compare to other works, what its primary contributions are relative to other works. Please use quotations sparingly; your review should summarize and paraphrase from the original work, employing limited quotations.
- The article’s title and purpose
- The author(s) of the article and a brief summary of his/her/their qualifications
- The article’s hypothesis/research question(s), theoretical assumptions, and research methodology
- A summary and careful evaluation of the article’s findings and conclusions
- The place and contribution of the article within the larger body of literature on the topic (e.g. how it relates to course readings Hopkins chapters 8 & 9 The increasingly United States )
Title: “Media, Polarization, and the 2016 Presidential Election: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”
Article’s Purpose: The purpose of this article, written by Levendusky and Malhotra (2018), is to examine the relationship between media, polarization, and public opinion during the 2016 US presidential election. The article aims to provide a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of existing literature to shed light on the impact of media consumption on political attitudes and voting behavior.
Author’s Qualifications: The authors, Levendusky and Malhotra, are both reputable scholars in the field of political science. Levendusky is an Associate Professor at Stanford University, specializing in American politics and political behavior. Malhotra is a Professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, focusing on political economy and public opinion. Both authors have expertise in quantitative research methods and have published extensively on the topics of media effects and political polarization.
Hypothesis/Research Question(s), Theoretical Assumptions, and Research Methodology: The article sets out to explore whether media exposure to ideologically aligned news sources contributes to political polarization and affects voters’ decisions during the 2016 presidential election. The authors adopt a theoretical framework that suggests individuals prefer media that reinforces their pre-existing beliefs, leading to increased polarization.
To conduct their analysis, Levendusky and Malhotra employ a systematic review and meta-analysis methodology. They review a wide range of studies that examine media effects on public opinion and polarization during the election campaign. By combining the results of many studies, they can draw more robust conclusions about the relationship between media consumption, polarization, and voting behavior.
Summary and Evaluation of Findings and Conclusions: The authors’ meta-analysis reveals several key findings. First, they find that exposure to ideologically aligned news sources increases political polarization among individuals. This aligns with previous research suggesting that people seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs. Second, they find that media consumption plays a significant role in shaping individuals’ voting behavior. Specifically, exposure to partisan news outlets is associated with increased support for the candidate endorsed by those outlets.
The article’s conclusions highlight the importance of media exposure in shaping political attitudes and behavior during elections. It emphasizes that media consumption can amplify pre-existing divisions and contribute to polarization within society. Furthermore, the findings suggest that partisan news sources have a considerable influence on voters’ choices.
Place and Contribution within the Larger Body of Literature: This article contributes to the larger body of literature on the relationship between media, politics, and public opinion. It builds upon previous studies by synthesizing a wide range of research findings through a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. The article’s methodology allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of media consumption on political polarization and voting behavior during the specific context of the 2016 presidential election.
In relation to course readings (Hopkins chapters 8 & 9), this article aligns with the discussion on how media can shape public opinion and contribute to political polarization. It adds empirical evidence and a meta-analytical perspective to the concepts covered in the required readings. The article’s findings reinforce the importance of understanding media effects in contemporary politics and its potential influence on democratic processes.
Overall,
this article by Levendusky and Malhotra provides valuable insights into the relationship between media consumption, polarization, and voting behavior during the 2016 US presidential election. Its rigorous methodology, compelling findings, and contribution to the existing literature make it a significant piece in understanding the influence of media on politics-related public opinion.