Abstract

Transmedia journalism is a growing way to get news stories to readers with the new technology of social media platforms. This study, through surveys and a blog, measured information retention/cognition and preference of the interactive platform(s) and the print platform to see which type of transmedia journalism is preferred more to readers and easier for readers to retain more information. The sample was 31 Digital media undergraduate and graduate students concurrently enrolled in the University of Central Florida's Nicholson School of Communication and Media in the Games & Interactive Media program. All participants received at least one story platform consisting of a transmedia journalism story assigned as an interactive novel, interactive infographic or interactive game with questions measuring the enjoyment and information retention/cognition of these different immersive platforms. Participants completed a Qualtrics questionnaire with Likert and multiple-choice questions for preference, retention/cognition, and enjoyment, and an open-ended question describing their experience with the story platform. The primary data were transcribed and coded for analysis. Descriptive codes identified positive and negative comments. Pattern codes identified participant preference, content knowledge, and preference patterns. The Likert questions used in this study provided quantitative data for participant preference of the platform. The open-ended question used in this study provided insight into what the participants were thinking about their interactions with the platform and gave insight into the participant decision process reported in the Likert questions. Analyses of this study revealed most participants preferred interactive platforms. This study also resulted in an undeterminable data collection regarding information retention/cognition; however, the qualitative responses were quite revealing. This study suggested interactive infographics and interactive novels as a way to present news stories in transmedia journalism. While some aspects of the interactive game platform may be problematic- i.e. aesthetics- interactive platforms seems to be leading transmedia journalism in the right direction.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2021

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Smith, Peter

Degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Games and Interactive Media

Degree Program

Digital Media; Visual Language and Interactive Media

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0008919; DP0026198

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0026198

Language

English

Release Date

November 2021

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

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