PlumX Metrics
SSRN
Embed PlumX Metrics

Examining the Effect of Public Attention on U.S. Senate Election Outcomes

SSRN Electronic Journal
2011
  • 0
    Citations
  • 1,112
    Usage
  • 1
    Captures
  • 0
    Mentions
  • 0
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Usage
    1,112
    • Abstract Views
      1,038
    • Downloads
      74
  • Captures
    1
  • Ratings
    • Download Rank
      649,970

Article Description

Congressional elections scholars have spent considerable time exploring how voters pay attention to campaigns. We add to this literature by conceptualizing public attention as a relative measure between two candidates. Borrowing from epidemiology and research in public policy, we propose a new indicator of public attention based on trends in Internet search activity. Such a conceptualization allows for us to insert public attention into the larger theoretical picture. We test this measure by statistically analyzing Senate elections between 2004-2010, finding a positive and significant relationship between relative attentiveness and electoral success that is robust across multiple specifications.

Provide Feedback

Have ideas for a new metric? Would you like to see something else here?Let us know