The News Articles
RECRUITMENT
The same threat manipulation used in the pilot studies was implemented in the main study, with a few key changes. Firstly, the articles were also updated to discuss the easing restrictions and the possibility of a second wave—as these were pressing issues at the time. In addition to this, the statistics used in the articles were updated on the day recruitment began (on the 7th of July) using the same website. Lastly, we added a new efficacy manipulation, to better align with the EPPM. Efficacy was manipulated by presenting the mitigation measures either as highly effective and feasible, or as being potentially unnecessary and difficult to adhere to.