A Mixed Methods Approach to Measuring Depth of Group Information Processing in the Context of Deliberative Public Involvement

Abstract

This article presents a mixed methods procedure for evaluating information processing and the role of social influences in deliberative public involvement groups. Specifically, it describes an interpretive, qualitative coding scheme for analyzing group discussions to quantitatively assess how group differences in information processing and social influences affect decision judgments. To substantiate the need for this new approach, the contributions of social psychology for better understanding persuasive influences in groups and individual information processing are described in relation to participatory public involvement contexts. The approach is then described using examples from a deliberative public involvement process. The article concludes with a discussion of the challenges associated with the proposed technique and suggestions for research to advance the technique and assess its contribution to mixed methods research.

A Conceptual Review on Heuristic Systematic Model in Mass Communication Studies

“…(Vohs., 2007) The model identifies two basic methods through which trends and other social judgments are formed, namely, the first: in-depth processing, which is the type of processing that entails a comprehensive analytical processing of information related to the formation of judgment; Where judgments are formed based on the response to the actual content of the information, and therefore it requires both cognitive capabilities and competence, and the second method is inductive processing, which is the type of processing that requires activation and application of discretionary rules or inferential tools such as cognitive structures that are learned and stored in the memory such as "Confidence in the opinions of experts," "The length of the message indicates its strength," and "The consensus of the majority opinion indicates correctness." (Erin Seekamp, 2010) Thinking enhances the growth of trends because it affects the balance of cognitive efforts related to the growth of trends by pushing them towards the maximum level of information processing, and more specifically, thinking increases opportunities for fruitful processing as it provides individuals with more time and higher motivation to process information, including In particular, the full realization and understanding of the issue around which the trend is formed, the recall of considerations related to the trend from memory, and the integration of these considerations retrieved in the same direction, and the abundance of information related to a particular topic that provokes thought promotes and enhances the growth of the trend. (Chaiken S. , 1980) Individuals carefully consider any information available to them when forming an opinion to determine whether that information is valid and accurate.…”