A comparison of the perceived credibility and usefulness of beef cattle magazine articles with and without photographs

Abstract

This thesis explored the credibility and usefulness of beef cattle magazine articles with and without photographs perceived by students at a Southern land-grant institution. The thesis also explored the use of alternate forms of repeated measure to determine if a relationship existed in instrumentation when a photograph was presented first or presented second. The study found that credibility was perceived to be greater when photographs were present in an article. The study found that usefulness was perceived to be greater when photographs were not present in an article. The study found a relationship between credibility and usefulness when presented with and without photographs. The study found that perceived credibility was greater when an article presented with a photograph was presented first. The study also found that perceived usefulness was greater when an article without photograph was presented first. The findings of this study indicated that magazines should take these factors into account when a desired outcome is to increase editorial credibility and increase the effectiveness of the message.