"The more official, the less I believe": Using focus groups to explore public opinion formation in politically polarized contexts
dc.contributor.author | Pavez, Isabel | |
dc.contributor.author | Saldana, Magdalena | |
dc.contributor.author | Cabalin, Cristian | |
dc.contributor.author | Scherman, Andres | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2025-01-20T16:12:00Z | |
dc.date.available | 2025-01-20T16:12:00Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
dc.description.abstract | IntroductionPublic opinion studies have traditionally relied on survey analyses. However, a qualitative approach is needed to address opinion formation's multidimensional and contextual nature. In this study, we argue that focus groups are a technique that addresses these unique challenges.MethodsWe test this argument by looking at the case of Chile, a country marked by a streak of eight elections in three years, including two national referendums for a constitutional proposal. In this politically polarized setting, and over the course of the latter election year, we conducted 10 focus groups comprising a diverse sample in terms of gender, age, socioeconomic status, and occupation. As participants shared news diets, political views, and values, data suggest a tendency to independently verify information regardless of the source, and highly influenced by their close ones.ResultsFrom a methodological perspective, our findings show that focus groups enable the assessment of the context-situated opinion formation process, reveal emerging themes, and promote open discussion. These results also reflect the multifaceted nature of public opinion formation in a dynamic media landscape and can inform other countries undergoing a crisis of institutional legitimacy. | |
dc.fuente.origen | WOS | |
dc.identifier.doi | 10.1111/ssqu.13421 | |
dc.identifier.eissn | 1540-6237 | |
dc.identifier.issn | 0038-4941 | |
dc.identifier.uri | https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.13421 | |
dc.identifier.uri | https://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/90307 | |
dc.identifier.wosid | WOS:001281652200001 | |
dc.issue.numero | 5 | |
dc.language.iso | en | |
dc.pagina.final | 1599 | |
dc.pagina.inicio | 1587 | |
dc.revista | Social science quarterly | |
dc.rights | acceso restringido | |
dc.subject | Chile | |
dc.subject | focus groups | |
dc.subject | news media | |
dc.subject | political discussion | |
dc.subject | public opinion | |
dc.subject.ods | 03 Good Health and Well-being | |
dc.subject.odspa | 03 Salud y bienestar | |
dc.title | "The more official, the less I believe": Using focus groups to explore public opinion formation in politically polarized contexts | |
dc.type | artículo | |
dc.volumen | 105 | |
sipa.index | WOS | |
sipa.trazabilidad | WOS;2025-01-12 |