A trust in science intervention to reduce COVID-19 misinformed beliefs and increase COVID-19 preventive behavioral intentions: a randomized controlled trial

Agley J , Xiao Y , Thompson EE , Chen X , Golzarri-Arroyo L

Intervention in trust in science to reduce COVID-19 misinformation and increase COVID-19 preventive behavioral intentions: a randomized controlled trial.

J Med Internet Res 2021; 23(10 ): e32425

doi: 10.2196 / 32425

PMID: 34581678

Commentary

This study investigated whether brief exposure to an infographic about the scientific process increases trust in science and thereby influences belief in misinformation and intention to take COVID-19 precautions.

This two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial aimed to recruit a representative U.S. sample of 1000 adults by age, race/ethnicity, and gender using the Prolific platform.

Participants were randomly assigned to view either an intervention infographic or a control infographic about the scientific process, and the intervention infographic was designed through a separate pilot study.

As a result, from January 22, 2021 to January 24, 2021, 1017 participants completed the survey and the intervention slightly increased their trust in science. (difference-in-difference 0.03, SE 0.01, t 1000 = 2.16, P = .031)

Although we did not observe a direct intervention effect on belief profile membership, there was some evidence of an indirect intervention effect mediated by trust in science.

We also did not observe any direct or indirect effects on preventive behaviors.