Information Preferences Research Articles

Prospects and challenges of regional modeling frameworks to inform planning for food, energy, and water systems: Views of modelers and stakeholders

Multisectoral models of regional bio-physical systems simulate policy responses to climate change and support climate mitigation and adaptation planning at multiple scales. Challenges facing these efforts include sometimes weak understandings of causal relationships, lack of integrated data streams, spatial and temporal incongruities with policy interests, and how to incorporate dynamics associated with human values, governance structures, and vulnerable populations. There are two general approaches to developing integrated models. The first involves stakeholder involvement in model design -- a participatory modeling approach. The second is to integrate existing models. This can be done in two ways: by integrating existing models or by a soft-linked confederation of existing models. A benefit of utilizing existing models is the leveraging of validated and familiar models that provide credibility. We report opportunities and challenges manifested in one effort to develop a regional food, energy, and water systems (FEWS) modeling framework using existing bio-physical models. The C-FEWS modeling framework (Climate-induced extremes on the linked food, energy, water system) is intended to identify and evaluate response options to extreme weather in the Midwest and Northeast United States thru the year 2100. We interviewed ten modelers associated with development of the C-FEWS framework and ten stakeholders from government agencies, planning agencies, and non-governmental organizations in New England. We inquired about their perspectives on the roles and challenges of regional FEWS modeling frameworks to inform planning and information needed to support planning in integrated food, energy, and water systems. We also analyzed discussions of meetings among modelers and among stakeholders and modelers. These sources reveal many agreements among modelers and stakeholders about the role of modeling frameworks, their benefits for policymakers, and the types of outputs they should produce. They also identify challenges to developing regional modeling frameworks that couple existing models and balancing model capabilities with stakeholder preferences for information. The results indicate the importance of modelers and stakeholders engaging in dialogue to craft modeling frameworks and scenarios that are credible and relevant for policymakers. We reflect on the implications for how FEWS modeling frameworks comprised of existing bio-physical models can be designed to better inform policy making at the regional scale.

Target, Information, and Trade Preferences: Evidence from a Survey Experiment in East Asia

AbstractProtectionist measures often have target countries, and public support for such measures depends on who the targets are. We identify such target effects on protectionist sentiments and examine the effects of information in tempering protectionist sentiments in East Asia. Using an original survey experiment in China, Japan, and South Korea, we test how providing information about the costs of protectionism changes public attitudes toward targeted protectionist measures. We found that providing a target country identity increased public support for protectionism by 8.6%. Providing cost information, on the other hand, reduces support for protectionism by 10%. We also found that information and target effects persist in the presence of the other: Receiving cost information reduces support for both general and targeted protectionism but does not necessarily mute the target effect. Similarly, when reputation and retaliation costs are associated with protectionism, knowing a target country identity still increases public support for protectionism.

Utility of patient information leaflet and perceived impact of its use on medication adherence

BackgroundAlthough patients frequently use patient information leaflets (PILs) to obtain information about medicine, their confidence in using it may be diminished after reading it. This study aimed to assess the public perception of PIL's quality and the perceived impact of its use on medication adherence.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study of 1,138 adult individuals in Saudi Arabia, April–May 2020, was conducted via Survey Monkey using an anonymous validated e-questionnaire. Data were collected on personal characteristics, PIL readership and preferences, perception towards PIL quality and impact of its use on taking medication, and reasons for not reading PIL. In addition, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the significant predictors of reading PIL. Significance was considered at p < 0.05.ResultsNearly all participants (91.1%) reported reading PIL. The more read PIL's sections were directions of use (52.7%) and side effects (30.3%). Female gender (OR = 5.64, 95%CI: 3.53,9.02), age over 40 years (OR = 2.80, 95%CI: 1.69,4.64), and secondary education or more (OR = 1.74, 95%CI: 1.06,2.85) were the significant predictors of reading PIL. The majority of PIL readers reported their preference for verbal information (65.8%), hard copy presentation (77%), adding graphics (71.1%), and concise content of PIL (68.8%). In addition, most participants reported PIL always/usually adds to their knowledge of medicines (70.6%) and said that PIL reading positively impacted their medication adherence (64.9%). For only 8.8%, PIL reading negatively impacted their adherence, primarily because of reading information on medicine's side effects and complications (74.4%). More than one-half of participants perceived the PIL quality as good/excellent in terms of; font size (51.3%), language comprehensiveness (64.9%), paper quality (68.0%), and general appearance (64.9%). Getting sufficient information from doctors and pharmacists was the main reason for not reading the PIL (59.2%). Most participants (92.5%) agreed on standardizing how information is displayed in the PIL among all PILs of all companies.ConclusionPIL is read by nearly all the study sample, especially females, older, and educated subjects. It was perceived as beneficial in upgrading medication adherence. Effective designing of PILs should focus on patients' literacy level and age. Standardization of the PIL structure in all pharmaceutical companies is recommended.

BabyByte: Qualitative Research to Inform the Development of an App to Improve Responsive Feeding Practices in Parents of Infants and Toddlers.

Responsive feeding is associated with a reduced risk of childhood obesity. The objective of this qualitative study was to determine parental preferences for mobile health (mHealth) app content and features designed to improve responsive feeding practices. Parents of 0-2-year-old children were interviewed individually. Interview questions were informed by the Technology Acceptance Model, and parents provided feedback on sample app content and features. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded by two researchers using thematic analysis; responses were compared by parent gender and income. Parents (n = 20 fathers, n = 20 mothers) were, on average, 33 years old, low-income (50%), identified as non-white (52.5%), and had a bachelor's degree or higher (62%). Overall, parents were most interested in feeding tips and recipe content, and app features that allowed tracking child growth and setting feeding goals. Fathers were most interested in content about first foods, choking hazards, and nutrition information, while mothers preferred content on breastfeeding, picky eating, and portion sizes. Parents with lower incomes were interested in nutrition guidelines, breastfeeding, and introducing solids. Non-low-income parents preferred information related to food allergies, portion sizes, and picky eating. The findings of this study provide considerations when developing mHealth apps to improve responsive feeding practices in parents.

Examining Preference for Energy-Related Information through a Choice Experiment

Many studies have shown that providing information on energy consumption to a household is effective, to some extent, in encouraging its energy conservation behavior. These studies provided information free of charge. However, depending on the type of information, a household must bear costs, such as installing the necessary equipment to obtain the information. Are people willing to pay for the information? In this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted to examine willingness to pay (WTP) for energy-related information using a choice experiment. The data were analyzed using conditional logit and latent class models. Positive WTP was estimated for information on the total energy consumption amount for the entire house, detailed electricity usage amount for each major home appliance, electricity rates by time zone, and power source composition of electricity. No significant positive results were obtained for comparison with the other households, as the class that accounted for about 40% of the analyzed sample had negative WTP for this information. When electricity companies provide comparative information, it is better to carefully consider how and to whom they provide it. The results of the latent class model show that preferences vary among classes. Although some preference variations exist, some households have a positive WTP for information on energy consumption.

O.37.6 - Experiences with information provision and preferences for decision making of patients with stroke: Presenter(s): Nelly van Uden-Kraan, Santeon, Netherlands

O.37.6 - Experiences with information provision and preferences for decision making of patients with stroke: Presenter(s): Nelly van Uden-Kraan, Santeon, Netherlands

The Usage and Trustworthiness of Various Health Information Sources in the United Arab Emirates: An Online National Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: The increase in the quality and availability of health information as well as the accessibility of Internet-based sources, has driven growing demand for online health information. Information preferences are influenced by many factors, including information needs, intentions, trustworthiness, and socioeconomic variables. Hence, understanding the interplay of these factors helps stakeholders provide current and relevant health information sources to assist consumers in assessing their healthcare options and making informed medical decisions. Aims: To assess the different sources of health information sought by the UAE population and to investigate the level of trustworthiness of each source. Methods: The study adopted a descriptive online cross-sectional design. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from UAE residents aged 18 years or above between July 2021 and September 2021. Health information sources, their trustworthiness, and health-oriented beliefs were explored through univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis in Python. Results: A total of 1083 responses were collected, out of which 683 (63%) were females. Doctors were the first source of health information (67.41%) before COVID-19, whereas websites were the first source (67.22%) during the pandemic. Other sources, such as pharmacists, social media, and friends and family, were not prioritized as primary sources. Overall, doctors had a high trustworthiness of 82.73%, followed by pharmacists with a high trustworthiness of 59.8%. The Internet had a partial trustworthiness of 58.4%. Social media and friends and family had a low trustworthiness of 32.78% and 23.73%, respectively. Age, marital status, occupation, and degree obtained were all significant predictors of Internet usage for health information. Conclusions: The population in the UAE commonly obtains health information from doctors who have been shown to have the highest trustworthiness; this is despite it not being the most common source used.

Access to nutrition services and information after active cancer treatment: a mixed methods study

PurposeEvidence-based guidelines for cancer strongly support nutrition and dietetic services for people with cancer and carers in order to improve patient-centred and health service outcomes. Access to nutrition services and information after completing active cancer treatment is relatively unknown in Australia. This study aimed to determine the availability, accessibility, barriers, and preferences to nutrition services and information after cancer treatment in Australia.MethodsUtilising mixed methods, people with cancer and carers completed a cross-sectional survey, and a sub-group of participants completed a semi-structured interview. The survey evaluated the availability of nutrition services, nutrition information searched, barriers, and preferences for nutrition information. Semi-structured interviews explored participant experience with nutrition services and information.ResultsThe 149 participants (including 10 carers) were predominately male and with a diagnosis of prostate cancer (63%). Overall, 23% of participants received nutrition information from a dietitian after cancer treatment. Participants (78%) indicated that accessing a nutrition specialist is the main barrier to receiving nutrition care after treatment. Most searched nutrition information on the internet (55%) and found the information easy to understand (89%), but conflicting (52%). Thematic analysis of interviews in fourteen cancer patients revealed three key themes pertaining to (1) preferred referral and timing of nutrition services, (2) lack of confidence in publicly available nutrition information, and (3) streamlining nutrition services for greater access.ConclusionAccess to a dietitian and evidence-based information after cancer treatment is limited for people with cancer and carers in Australia, despite the high interest and need for ongoing nutrition care.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsModels of care evaluating the provision of appropriate nutrition care and information provision after cancer treatment are needed to address this unmet survivorship need.

Profile identification and characterization of risk perceptions and preventive behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A latent profile analysis.

In a public health crisis, communication plays a vital role in making sure policies and recommendations from the government level get disseminated accurately to its people and is only considered as effective when the public accepts, supports, complies to, and engages in policies or behaves as per governments' recommendations. Adopting the multivariate audience segmentation strategy for health communication, this study uses a data-driven analytical method to (1) identify audience segments of public health crisis communication in Singapore based on knowledge, risk perception, emotional responses, and preventive behaviors; and (2) characterize each audience segment according to demographic factors, personality traits, information processing styles, and health information preferences. Results (N = 2033) from a web-based questionnaire executed in August 2021 have identified three audience segments: the less-concerned (n = 650), the risk-anxious (n = 142), and the risk-majority (n = 1,241). This study offers insights to how audiences of public health crisis communication perceive, process, and respond to information directed to them during the pandemic, thereby informing policy makers to tailor more targeted public health communication interventions in promoting positive attitude and behavior change.

Improving oncology first-in-human and Window of opportunity informed consent forms through participant feedback

BackgroundAlthough patient advocates have developed templates for standard consent forms, evaluating patient preferences for first in human (FIH) and window of opportunity (Window) trial consent forms is critical due to their unique risks. FIH trials are the initial use of a novel compound in study participants. In contrast, Window trials give an investigational agent over a fixed duration to treatment naïve patients in the time between diagnosis and standard of care (SOC) surgery. Our goal was to determine the patient-preferred presentation of important information in consent forms for these trials.MethodsThe study consisted of two phases: (1) analyses of oncology FIH and Window consents; (2) interviews of trial participants. FIH consent forms were analyzed for the location(s) of information stating that the study drug has not been tested in humans (FIH information); Window consents were analyzed for the location(s) of information stating the trial may delay SOC surgery (delay information). Participants were asked about their preferred placement of the information in their own trial’s consent form. The location of information in the consent forms was compared to the participants’ suggestions for placement.Results34 [17 FIH; 17 Window] of 42(81%) cancer patients approached participated. 25 consents [20 FIH; 5 Window] were analyzed. 19/20 FIH consent forms included FIH information, and 4/5 Window consent forms included delay information. 19/20(95%) FIH consent forms contained FIH information in the risks section 12/17(71%) patients preferred the same. Fourteen (82%) patients wanted FIH information in the purpose, but only 5(25%) consents mentioned it there. 9/17(53%) Window patients preferred delay information to be located early in the consent, before the “Risks” section. 3/5(60%) consents did this.ConclusionsDesigning consents that reflect patient preferences more accurately is essential for ethical informed consent; however, a one-size fits all approach will not accurately capture patient preferences. We found that preferences differed for FIH and Window trial consents, though for both, patients preferred key risk information early in the consent. Next steps include determining if FIH and Window consent templates improve understanding.

Evaluation of driver demand for in-vehicle information: An integrated method combining clustering and multivariate ordered probit model

Introduction: The proper execution of driving tasks requires information support. While new technologies have increased the convenience of information access, they have also increased the risk of driver distraction and information overload. Meeting drivers’ demands and providing them with adequate information are crucial to driving safety. Methods: Based on a sample of 1,060 questionnaires, research on driving information demands is conducted from the perspective of drivers. A principal component analysis and the entropy method are integrated to quantify the driving information demands and preferences of drivers. The K-means classification algorithm is selected to classify the different types of driving information demands, including dynamic traffic information demands (DTIDs), static traffic information demands (STIDs), automotive driving status information demands (ATIDs), and total driving information demands (TDIDs). Fisher's least significant difference (LSD) is used to compare the differences in the numbers of self-reported crashes among different driving information demand levels. A multivariate ordered probit model is established to explore the potential factors that influence the different types of driving information demand levels. Results: The DTID is the driver's most in-demand information type, and accordingly, gender, driving experience, average driving mileage, driving skills, and driving style significantly affect the driving information demand levels. Moreover, the number of self-reported crashes decreased as the DTID, ATID, and TDID levels decreased. Conclusion: Driving information demands are affected by a variety of factors. This study also provides evidence that drivers who have higher driving information demands are more likely to drive more carefully and safely than their counterparts who do not exhibit high driving information demands. Practical implications: The results are indicative of the driver-oriented design of in-vehicle information systems and the development of dynamic information services as a way to avoid negative impacts on driving.

Knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and practice toward seasonal influenza and its vaccine: A cross-sectional study from a country of conflict.

The seasonal influenza vaccine is an important preventive measure against influenza and its associated complications. In Yemen, there is no seasonal influenza vaccination policy, and the influenza vaccine is excluded from the national immunization program. Data on vaccination coverage remain scarce with no previous surveillance programs or awareness campaigns implemented in the country. The current study aims to assess the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of the public in Yemen toward seasonal influenza and their motivators and perceived barriers to receiving its vaccine. A cross-sectional survey was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to eligible participants using convenience sampling. A total of 1,396 participants completed the questionnaire. The respondents showed a median knowledge score of influenza of 11.0/15.0, and most of them (70%) were able to recognize its modes of transmission. However, only 11.3% of the participants reported receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine. Physicians were the respondents' most preferred information source for influenza (35.2%), and their recommendation (44.3%) was the most cited reason for taking its vaccine. On the contrary, not knowing about the vaccine's availability (50.1%), concerns regarding the safety of the vaccine (17%), and not considering influenza as a threat (15.9%) were the main reported barriers to getting vaccinated. The current study showed a low uptake of influenza vaccines in Yemen. The physician's role in promoting influenza vaccination seems to be essential. Extensive and sustained awareness campaigns would likely increase the awareness of influenza and remove misconceptions and negative attitudes toward its vaccine. Equitable access to the vaccine can be promoted by providing it free of charge to the public.

Privacy-Preserving Federated Graph Neural Network Learning on Non-IID Graph Data

Since the concept of federated learning (FL) was proposed by Google in 2017, many applications have been combined with FL technology due to its outstanding performance in data integration, computing performance, privacy protection, etc. However, most traditional federated learning-based applications focus on image processing and natural language processing with few achievements in graph neural networks due to the graph’s nonindependent identically distributed (IID) nature. Representation learning on graph-structured data generates graph embedding, which helps machines understand graphs effectively. Meanwhile, privacy protection plays a more meaningful role in analyzing graph-structured data such as social networks. Hence, this paper proposes PPFL-GNN, a novel privacy-preserving federated graph neural network framework for node representation learning, which is a pioneer work for graph neural network-based federated learning. In PPFL-GNN, clients utilize a local graph dataset to generate graph embeddings and integrate information from other collaborative clients to utilize federated learning to produce more accurate representation results. More importantly, by integrating embedding alignment techniques in PPFL-GNN, we overcome the obstacles of federated learning on non-IID graph data and can further reduce privacy exposure by sharing preferred information.

Accessing information during the COVID-19 pandemic era: a study of GCC citizens and noncitizens

Purpose Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new disease that has led to rapid and dramatic global changes. This study aims to investigate how Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens and noncitizens search for necessary information and assess available information sources, their associated awareness and anxiety levels, voluntary work, compliance with quarantine regulations and technology. Design/methodology/approach An electronic questionnaire was designed using Google Forms and distributed on Twitter and WhatsApp. In total, 1,006 responses were received. Findings The results showed that 75.25% of the participants were active information seekers because of their daily search for necessary information. “Formal sources,” “Social media” and “Television” were the most preferred information sources found by the study sample. Originality/value This study investigates the behavior of GCC citizens and noncitizens in searching for necessary information during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, it draws attention to the importance of digitization and digital preservation in building a specialized digital library for future access to pandemic-related information distributed by the government authorities and institutions in the State of Kuwait.

New mothers’ key questions about child vaccinations from pregnancy through toddlerhood: Evidence from a qualitative longitudinal study in Victoria, British, Columbia

Canada's infant vaccination rate is suboptimal. British Columbia (BC) is below the targeted national coverage for infant vaccines, and vaccine hesitancy is a contributing factor in BC's low coverage rates. The literature suggests that many mothers are primary vaccine decision-makers and begin this decision process during pregnancy. This project examined mothers' vaccine concerns, vaccine information needs and preferences, and mother's trusted information sources regarding vaccines during early childhood.Using a qualitative, longitudinal design, interviews were conducted with women in four phases: during the third trimester of pregnancy, when the infant was 3–4 months, 9–12 months, and 15–18 months of age. Data analysis was thematic and both deductive and inductive coding techniques were utilized.Although most mothers in this study followed the BC infant vaccination schedule, many could be regarded as cautious acceptors. We identified five major themes. Three themes describe the questions mothers had about infant vaccination: 1) the vaccination schedule, 2) basic facts about vaccines, and 3) risks and benefits. Two themes described mothers’ information sources and preferences: 1) information sources, and 2) vaccine information delivery. Mothers indicated they wanted their concerns to be addressed in a safe, non-judgmental environment by health care providers.The questions and concerns identified by mothers in this study suggest that many mothers have unasked and unanswered questions about infant vaccines. Because health care providers are the favored source of vaccine information for pregnant people and new parents, they should receive continuous education on vaccines to raise their competency in addressing parental concerns.

DEMOCRATIC DELIBERATION TO ASSESS VETERAN PREFERENCES FOR BIOSIMILAR MEDICATION SWITCHING FOR THE TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IN A RESOURCE CONSCIOUS SETTING

Abstract BACKGROUND To optimize care while being resource conscious, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) must develop equitable policies that incorporate Veterans’ values and beliefs. Switching patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) from biologic medications (originators) to less expensive biosimilars offers the opportunity to explore potential policies. Unlike originators, the FDA did not require disease-specific randomized controlled trials for approval of biosimilars, creating provider and patient concerns about the safety of switching to these medications. Deliberative democratic (DD) methods allow us to assess Veteran views of switching programs, a necessary step in creating equitable policy approaches. METHODS We carried out two 2-day sessions with Veterans from the Ann Arbor VA (n=17) and Houston VA (n=12). Deliberation began with education about IBD, use of biologics (including biosimilars), and related implementation challenges. Participants engaged in facilitated small group discussions designed to 1) identify Veterans views about biosimilar switching and their preferences for informing Veterans about switching, and 2) evaluate responses to five approaches for switching: (a) “status quo”–switching policies vary by VHA facility, (b) “sickest last”–Veterans with the most severe IBD are switched last, (c) “opt-out”–Veterans may opt-out of switching, (d) “next appointment”–Veterans are switched at their next appointment, and (e) “lottery”–patients are switched based on random selection. Participants ranked options (1=most preferred, 5=least preferred) and proposed modifications to these approaches. Participants completed pre- and post-DD session surveys. Discussion transcripts were analyzed using qualitative methods. RESULTS Participant demographics are in Table 1. Most Veterans sessions preferred the “sickest last” (mean rank: 1.8, standard deviation: 0.9) or “opt-out” (2.4,1.4) approaches over the “status quo” (3.1,1.0) or “lottery” (4.6,0.9); preferences did not significantly change after deliberation (Figure 1). Preferences reflected Veterans’ concerns about the risk of switching to biosimilars for the most vulnerable Veterans and their strong preference for information and transparency around biosimilar switching. Participants emphasized the importance of informed choice, prioritizing based on health status, personalization, and shared decision-making (e.g., treatment should be geared to individual patient in discussion with their provider). CONCLUSION DD methods are effective for soliciting Veterans' opinions and preferences for health policies. Veterans favored policies that provided information and control, promoted shared decision-making, and reduced risk to vulnerable patients. Incorporating patient preferences and insights is critical when implementing health policies in the VHA and other resource-limited settings.

Demand for information by gender: An experimental study

We study preferences for seeking information about one’s own ability within a male-typed task. Using a lab experiment, we study how women and men might differ in their preferences for information and how these preferences are affected by features of the information environment. We consider a setting where men and women solve a male-typed task, and then choose to receive information about their performance from less or more informative feedback structures. We then vary the costs and benefits of seeking the more informative feedback. In a between-subjects experiment, we make the informative feedback i) private to the subject ii) public iii) subjectively judgemental, and iv) strategic. We find that women are less likely to opt for more informative feedback than men by about 20 p.p. in the first three treatments but this gap vanishes in the strategic treatment. Interestingly, however, this is driven entirely by men who change their behaviour due to strategic incentives. Our results have implications for how men and women learn differently in male-typed domains.

Promoting Prognostic Understanding and Health Equity for Patients With Advanced Liver Disease: Using “Best Case/Worst Case”

Promoting Prognostic Understanding and Health Equity for Patients With Advanced Liver Disease: Using “Best Case/Worst Case”

Translating evidence in a priority setting partnership: knowledge gaps between healthcare providers and oesophageal cancer patients

IntroductionDespite the fact that health information is now more accessible than ever, knowledge gaps remain between patients and healthcare providers (HCPs). To date, the patients’ need for information following a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer has not been adequately met.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to identify why knowledge gaps exist between oesophageal cancer patients and HCPs and how to address them.MethodsPurposive sampling of a group of people living with and after oesophageal cancer who had participated in a priority-setting partnership where 45% of questions from patients had existing evidence-based answers. A 7-set question series was developed for use in a patient/HCP focus group in addition to 11 individual phone interviews with survivors of oesophageal cancer. Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted to explore oesophageal cancer patients’ access to information. The data was analysed thematically, which involved coding all patient transcripts before identifying and reviewing key themes.ResultsThe three primary themes that emerged were as follows: opportunity (HCP team factors and relationship development), ability (patient factors) and priority (pacing of information delivery).ConclusionEffective communication between patients and HCPs was identified as an integral component of the enhancement of patient knowledge. HCPs should continue to refine and improve methods of information delivery and encourage conversations regarding information preferences.

Framing COVID-19 Preprint Research as Uncertain: A Mixed-Method Study of Public Reactions

ABSTRACT During the COVID-19 pandemic, journalists were encouraged to convey uncertainty surrounding preliminary scientific evidence, including mentioning when research is unpublished or unverified by peer review. To understand how public audiences interpret this information, we conducted a mixed method study with U.S. adults. Participants read a news article about preprint COVID-19 vaccine research in early April 2021, just as the vaccine was becoming widely available to the U.S. public. We modified the article to test two ways of conveying uncertainty (hedging of scientific claims and mention of preprint status) in a 2 × 2 between-participants factorial design. To complement this, we collected open-ended data to assess participants’ understanding of the concept of a scientific preprint. In all, participants who read hedged (vs. unhedged) versions of the article reported less favorable vaccine attitudes and intentions and found the scientists and news reporting less trustworthy. These effects were moderated by participants’ epistemic beliefs and their preference for information about scientific uncertainty. However, there was no impact of describing the study as a preprint, and participants’ qualitative responses indicated a limited understanding of the concept. We discuss implications of these findings for communicating initial scientific evidence to the public and we outline important next steps for research and theory-building.