On this week’s The Sci-Files, your hosts Chelsie and Danny interview Nikki McClaran.

Nikki is a Ph.D. student in the Information & Media program within the College of Communication Arts & Sciences. Nikki’s research focuses on narrative persuasion, health and risk communication, and social norms.

Specifically, Nikki investigates how health and environmental issues are cognitively and effectively perceived, and whether narratives have the ability to encourage positive social behaviors. She’s conducted research regarding a variety of areas, including vaccinations, sleep, recycled water and alcohol consumption. The research Nikki conducts uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to provide a holistic perspective of the issues under investigation. For example, a current project involves: focus groups of vaccine-opposed parents, a content analysis of entertainment portrays of vaccinations and experiments testing the effects of frequent exposure of such storylines on people’s real-world vaccination beliefs.

If you’re interested in talking about your MSU research on the radio or nominating a student, please email Chelsie and Danny at [email protected]. You can ask questions for our future episodes here. Check The Sci-Files out on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!