Systematic mapping of climate and environmental framing experiments and re-analysis with computational methods points to omitted interaction bias

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000297
• Publication Date: 2024-02-06T18:22:01Z
• Authors: Lukas Fesenfeld; Liam Beiser-McGrath; Yixian Sun; Michael Wicki; Thomas Bernauer
• Keywords: Framing (construction)

Ambitious climate policy requires acceptance by millions of people whose daily lives would be affected in costly ways. In turn, this an understanding how to get the mass public on board and prevent a political backlash against policies. Many scholars regard ‘framing’, specially tailored messages emphasizing specific subsets arguments certain population subgroups, as effective communication strategy for changing beliefs, attitudes, behaviors. contrast, other argue that hold relatively stable opinions doubt framing can alter opinion salient issues like change. We contribute debate two ways: First, we conduct systematic mapping 121 experimental studies environmental framing, published 46 peer-reviewed journals present results survey with authors these studies. Second, illustrate use novel computational methods check robustness subgroup effects identify omitted interaction bias. find most experiments report significant main but rarely advanced account potential Moreover, only few make their data publicly available easily replicate them. Our researchers suggests when successfully publish non-significant effects, were typically bundled together other, increase publication chances. Finally, using Bayesian sparse regression technique, offer illustrative re-analysis 10 focusing differences partisanship (a key driver change attitudes) show are often not robust accounting