Increase versus decrease framing: How framing a finding as an increase boosts its perceived magnitude.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Scientific Communication

Background:

• Research findings are often presented using increase or decrease frames.
• Equivalent outcomes can be framed as either an increase or a decrease relative to a baseline.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of increase versus decrease framing on the perceived magnitude of research findings.
• To explore how framing influences perceptions of importance, funding, and publication.

Main Methods:

• Multiple studies presented participants with real and fictitious research findings framed as increases or decreases.
• A separate study analyzed the frequency and impact of framing in published research and citation rates.

Main Results:

• Effects framed as increases were perceived as larger in magnitude, more important, and more deserving of funding and publication.
• Increase frames were perceived as clearer, enhancing perceived effect size.
• Researchers more frequently use increase framing, and these articles receive higher citation rates.

Conclusions:

• The framing of research findings significantly influences their perceived magnitude and importance.
• Increase framing enhances clarity and perceived effect size, impacting scientific evaluation and broader social judgments.
• Understanding framing effects is crucial for objective evaluation of scientific research.