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Multiplicity and uncertainty: Media coverage of autism causation

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  • Zhai, Yujia
  • Sun, Shaojing
  • Wang, Fang
  • Ding, Ying

Abstract

Employing the machine learning method, this study analyses 6504 articles from four major newspapers, New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, and The Guardian, to examine how media cover the topic about causes of autism. A total of 14,305 causal sentences on the topic are extracted from media articles and subjected to analysis of causal entities and descriptions. Results show media have presented multiple factors (e.g. vaccination, genetics, and parenting) pertaining to the causes of autism, as well as multiple symptoms of autism. Most of those causal relationships are presented in a tentative or uncertain manner. The study also reveals significant differences in reportage of autism causation across time and media channels.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhai, Yujia & Sun, Shaojing & Wang, Fang & Ding, Ying, 2017. "Multiplicity and uncertainty: Media coverage of autism causation," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 11(3), pages 873-887.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:infome:v:11:y:2017:i:3:p:873-887
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2017.07.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Puglisi Riccardo, 2011. "Being The New York Times: the Political Behaviour of a Newspaper," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 11(1), pages 1-34, April.
    2. Baker, J.P., 2008. "Mercury, vaccines, and autism: One controversy, three histories," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(2), pages 244-253.
    3. Alan S. Gerber & Dean Karlan & Daniel Bergan, 2009. "Does the Media Matter? A Field Experiment Measuring the Effect of Newspapers on Voting Behavior and Political Opinions," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 1(2), pages 35-52, April.
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