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Article published In: The Agenda Setting Journal
Vol. 2:1 (2018) ► pp.84–102

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Advancing agenda building

Exploring causal relationships

 | University of Alabama
 | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Published online: 29 March 2018
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https://doi.org/10.1075/asj.17008.moh
Abstract
This study tested the three levels of agenda building using an experimental design to identify possible causal relationships. This research contributes to the study and practice of political public relations by examining the process by which an issue is created and transferred to the public. Results indicate various support for agenda building including overall issue salience and issue attribute salience. The study also tested the compelling arguments hypothesis and found strong support for attribute salience contributing to overall issue salience. These findings are important for political public relations practitioners as it demonstrates that contextual issue attributes increase issue salience for the public.
Article outline
  • Literature review
    • Political public relations
    • Agenda setting theory
    • First- and second-level agenda building
    • Compelling arguments
    • Third-level agenda-building
    • Agenda-building outcomes: behavioral intention
  • Method
    • Participants
    • Procedures
    • Stimulus materials
    • Instrumentation
      • Issue salience
      • Issue attribute salience (consequences and outcomes)
      • Issue attribute salience (morality and motivation to take action)
      • Behavioral intention
    • Data analysis
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Limitations and future research
  • References
References (57)
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